FOX and NFL Network reporter Peter Shrager broke the news on Sunday that Bucs cornerback Richard Sherman has stepped in to coach Tampa Bay’s cornerbacks with cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross out. Ross has been out all week with COVID-19 and will miss the game against the Bears.

Bucs CBs coach Kevin Ross – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Kevin Ross the defensive backs coach, he too is out due to COVID protocols,” Shrager reported. “So I’m told all week someone had to step up and coach the DBs. Richard Sherman, injured, yet he was coaching the defensive backs all week long in Tampa. And today, despite being injured, Sherman dove right in. Ross will not be out there. Todd Bowles obviously will be coaching the defense and will be running the defensive backs room, but Richard Sherman will be serving as an assistant coach today on the sidelines.”

The 33-year old Sherman, a five-time Pro Bowler, joined the team on September 29 prior to the Bucs’ Week 4 game at New England. He started three games in 12 days for Tampa Bay, but injured his hamstring on the first series of action at Philadelphia on Thursday Night Football last week.

Sherman is expected to miss a few weeks due to that hamstring injury. In the meantime, he’ll be using his experience to help Tampa Bay in other ways against Chicago – as an assistant coach.