Jaguars Week Rolling Notebook: McDaniels not on initial Jaguars interview list; Covid hits Patriots hard

According to initial reports, Josh McDaniels is not on the Jaguars' initial list of head-coaching candidates

The Jaguars, along with the Raiders, can hold virtual interviews now if the team employing candidates approve. It's believed the Raiders will wait because they are in contention for the playoffs.

In other news, the Patriots have had to put Matthew Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Brian Hoyer, Josh Uche and Brandon King on the Covid-19 list, while OL Yasir Durant, LBs Ronnie Perkins and Cameron McGrone have come off. Perkins is still on IR, and McGrone is on the NFI list.

The Patriots could get all or some of those players back for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. The NFL and NFLPA agreed to changes with the protocols. Fully vaccinated players and coaches can still “test out” and return in less than 5 days. Unvaccinated players are out 5 days from when the initial positive specimen was collected.

BSJ ANALYSIS

Reports on Monday said GM Trent Baalke will be retained by the Jaguars and will assist in the search for the next coach. That fact alone might affect McDaniels' interest in the job.

Baalke, the former 49ers general manager, is a