49ers OL Coach John Benton Tests Positive for COVID-19 Ahead of Game vs. WFT

The San Francisco 49ers announced Sunday that offensive line coach John Benton would miss the team's game later that day against the Washington Football Team after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Per the team statement: "Benton immediately went into self-quarantine and the team conducted the appropriate contact tracing as part of the NFL’s intensive COVID-19 protocol. We will continue to communicate with the League and medical professionals and take the necessary precautions in the best interest of health and safety."

The team did not announce any players going on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday. 

Matt Barrows of The Athletic noted that "longtime veteran Chris Foerster and Zach Yenser" are the team's assistant offensive line coaches.

The Niners dealt with a small outbreak earlier this season. As Cam Inman of the Mercury News noted, "the 49ers had a season-high nine players on the NFL's COVID-19 reserve list four weeks ago, and all were activated off it within the past 10 days, with no others going on it."

The coronavirus remains an ever-present complication for NFL teams, and namely the Niners, who are not permitted to play home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara after the county halted all sports amid the pandemic. 

Instead, the 49ers are playing their home games at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.