Patriots-Broncos a go despite more positives
After a prolonged absence, it looks like the Patriots will finally get to play another football game.
Knock on wood.
Their twice-bumped game with the Broncos still has the green light for a 1 p.m. kickoff today even after COVID-19 cases turned up on both teams.
On Saturday, the Patriots placed three more players on the reserve-COVID-19 list. Starting guard Shaq Mason, running back Sony Michel, and defensive end Derek Rivers were added.
In wake of the league’s newest protocols, those placed on the list could mean either a positive test, or they are players who were established as “high risk” close contact, likely with center James Ferentz, who tested positive on Friday.
According to one report, Michel tested positive for COVID-19. Mason and Rivers did not, according to sources, but they likely fall into the new “high risk” category that was added this week.
Anyone considered in that group must isolate for five days, which is another way of landing on the list.
And even with more COVID-19 concerns, the team was back at Gillette Stadium Saturday for a walkthrough after the facility was shut down Friday thanks to Ferentz testing positive.
Barring more positives showing up Sunday, or perhaps, even with a few more, the status of the game isn’t likely to change as the league seems determined to have the two teams play.
The Broncos, meanwhile, were also hit with a positive test.
Before boarding a flight in from Denver, the Broncos announced a case had turned up in their camp.
Running backs coach Curtis Modkins tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement released by the team.
The Broncos still traveled east after reportedly analyzing contact tracing data and determining all of their safety precautions were in place. They did not add anyone to the reserve COVID-19 list.
But they’ll also be without lead running back Melvin Gordon, who missed Friday’s practice with an illness. He didn’t test positive, and was reported to have a case of strep throat.
Obviously, both teams have had to go through a lot of hoops as a result of the Patriots continued COVID-19 problem, and now a first case for the Broncos.
Speaking with reporters Friday, Broncos head coach Vic Fangio provided some perspective even as more cases were popping up throughout the league.
“I know a lot of people have had their lives interrupted in a very negative way. Whether it be through the illness itself, losing their job, taking a pay cut, which I know some of you had to go through that in the offseason, which was sad to see,” said Fangio. “Nobody deserves that. Some small businesses — people who have worked their whole lives to establish a business — are really struggling right now.
“I know some small business owners from all over the country and they are struggling. Luckily here in the NFL, so far as players and coaches, we haven’t missed any paychecks,” he went on. “We’re just going to keep fighting through and consider ourselves lucky. Yes, we’ve been inconvenienced and there are a lot of protocols to follow. Some of them can be a little
overbearing at times, but they’re necessary. I think in the big picture we’ve been lucky.”
Prior to Ferentz, and now reportedly Michel, the Patriots had four others test positive for COVID-19, including quarterback Cam Newton, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and defensive linemen Bill Murray and Byron Cowart.
Newton, Gilmore and Murray were removed from the reserve list, and practiced Thursday, the team’s lone practice of the week.
The expectation is for both Newton and Gilmore to return to action.
The Patriots quarterback was the first to test positive on Oct. 2. As a result, he missed the Week 4 game against the Chiefs. Both Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham saw action in that game, but were guilty of four turnovers between them in the 26-10 loss.
So after a two-week layoff, Newton will jump back in and try to crank up the offense.
Quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch said Friday Newton really wasn’t behind from a practice sense. Like everyone else, he was involved in virtual meetings away from the facility
“Yeah, it enabled him to not fall as behind as maybe he would have if we were having all in-person meetings and not had the technology or ability to stream him in and let him be a part of it,” said Fisch. “The fact that most of the meetings were over a WebEx, the fact that most of the time spent over the course of those few days were really more done digitally or electronically that really helped him and I think it helped all of us know where he’s at to see where he his moving forward for this game.”
As for the newcomers to
the reserve COVID-19 list, Michel was already on injured reserve with a quad injury. He was placed there Oct. 5, so he wasn’t due to return just yet.
Second-year back Damien Harris picked up the slack in the Monday night loss to the Chiefs, rushing for 100 yards. He should once again fill the void against the Broncos.
Mason, meanwhile, has been battling a calf injury. He missed the Chiefs game and was listed as “questionable” for the Broncos game prior to landing on the reserve list. With both Ferentz, who started against the Chiefs, and Mason out, there will be more shuffling on the offensive line.
As for Rivers, he hasn’t played much recently. His absence hurts the Patriots more from a depth standpoint.
To that end, the Patriots promoted several players
from the practice squad including OL Caleb Benenoch, wide receiver Isaiah Zuber, defensive lineman Nick Thurman and linebacker Rashod Berry. They were designated as COVID-19 replacements on the league’s transaction wire.
In the big picture, it’ll be interesting to hear how all of this is sitting with the Patriots players. In recent weeks, several players have voiced some consternation over the league’s handling of the pandemic, most notably Jason McCourty.
Players didn’t like the decision to play the Kansas City game before a fuller incubation period had expired. As a result, with more positive tests, some Patriots have selfquarantined in hotels to try and keep their families safe.
On Friday, Pats defensive back Jonathan Jones tweeted: “They failed us.”