Richard Sherman will help coach CBs with assistant coach out because of COVID-19 protocols
Richard Sherman is working in a different role this weekend.
With Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross out due to COVID-19 protocols, Sherman will step in as a temporary assistant coach, Peter Schrager of Fox Sports reported Sunday. The Buccaneers (5-1) host the Chicago Bears (3-3) in the late afternoon NFL window.
With Bucs DB coach Kevin Ross out due to COVID-19 protocols, injured CB Richard Sherman has stepped up and assisted all week with the defensive backs, per @pschrags. Sherman will play a role in helping Todd Bowles coach the unit today. pic.twitter.com/be7N3ae5jt
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 24, 2021
Sherman, 33, was ruled out early in the week with a hamstring injury that could cause him to miss several games. He coached the defensive backs throughout the week in Tampa and will serve as an "assistant coach" on the sidelines, Schrager reported. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who spoke highly of what Sherman has brought to the room, will officially be taking over Ross' responsibilities.
"Well, he brought a lot of intelligence and experience," Bowles said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “It’s different when players hear it from other players. To see somebody of that caliber come in here and learn what he did in those amount of days, it’s unfortunate he got hurt, but he’s been a big help on the sidelines as far as coaching in practice and in games, helping Dee (Delaney), helping Pierre (Desir) and helping all the corners and safeties from that aspect to see things differently and give them little tops that way. I think that has been worth its weight in gold."
Sherman, an 11th-year veteran, joined the Buccaneers in Week 4 and played three games in 12 days after having not practiced or played in 288 days, via ESPN. He had a turbulent offseason as a free agent and was recruited to Tampa by quarterback Tom Brady. The interest between parties ramped up when two Buccaneers cornerbacks were injured.
The Buccaneers' secondary has been particularly hard hit with injuries and the Buccaneers' injury report is long. Tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Antonio Brown and linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul all remain out.
