Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins enter intensive COVID-19 protocol but expect to play Cardinals

The Miami Dolphins confirmed on Friday that an assistant coach tested positive for COVID-19 and that the team is in the NFL's intensive protocol.

Despite concerns associated with the situation, the Dolphins still expect to travel and face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. 

"The health and safety of the team is the most important thing. We feel good about how we've handled the situation," coach Brian Flores told reporters, per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN. "We've been in constant contact with the league this morning. We're working in conjunction with the league about whatever the next steps are. It's 2020 so things are ever-changing. We've got to be able to adapt, be flexible."

Flores added he doesn't expect the game's status to change heading into the weekend. 

"We wouldn't fly if we felt like there was any situation where we would create any outbreak," he said. "If we do fly, it's because we feel like we've got it contained and that's kind of the feeling now."

It's not yet known if any Miami players have been deemed "high-risk close contacts" of the assistant coach and would have to isolate away from the team through the weekend. 

Members of the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers missed Thursday's prime-time contest due to coronavirus-related issues. Elsewhere around the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns have all been hit with positive tests and/or close-contact cases since last weekend. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Canucks' Nikita Zadorov takes a shot at NHL over teammate's suspension
Sports radio star Doug Gottlieb to coach college hoops while staying on the air
NFL scores big win in legal battle with ex-Raiders head coach
Astros 3B breaks out of slump in contract year
Cardinals sign second-round CB
Micah Parsons makes history with new Bleacher Report deal
Celtics assistant named candidate for Lakers HC job
Rudy Gobert fined $75,000 for gesture in Game 4
Former Canadiens GM on Blue Jackets' radar
Cubs designate lefty reliever for assignment
Two-time Super Bowl champ signs with AFC contender
Stars center matches Gretzky feat as Dallas pushes Avalanche to brink
Gritty young Thunder take down veteran Mavericks in Game 4
Cubs acquiring veteran reliever from Mariners
Top-five NBA Draft prospect suffers scary non-contact injury
Hurricanes stay alive with third-period outburst vs. Rangers
Jaylen Brown's big three-pointer gives Celtics 3-1 lead over Cavs
Avalanche star placed in player assistance program
Mercury announce devastating injury on eve of WNBA season
Randy Moss' son makes major football announcement