Pats-Chiefs game postponed
The NFL postponed the game Sunday between the Patriots and the defending champion Chiefs after “positive COVID-19 tests on both teams.” Patriots starting quarterback Cam Newton and Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta’amu were both added to the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list released on Saturday afternoon.
The NFL said Saturday that the game, originally scheduled for 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, will be played Monday or Tuesday, a move that would be possible only if there is no wider spread of the disease on the rosters.
Newton has started all three games for the Patriots. Ta’amu has not appeared in a game but would have spent time in meetings with Super Bowl MVP Pat Mahomes and the team’s other quarterback.
It is the second game this weekend that has been affected by COVID-19. After an outbreak on the Titans, the matchup between the Steelers and Titans was postponed — originally for a day or two, and then until Oct. 25 as the positive tests accumulated.
To fit it in, the Steelers’ game against the Ravens that day was pushed back to Nov. 1.
The Patriots had been planning to fly to Kansas City on Saturday afternoon. Instead, players left the facility to await further instructions. The team said in a statement that the COVID-positive player has entered selfquarantine and that players, coaches and staff who were in close contact with him were tested Saturday morning and all were negative.
With Newton now unavailable while he quarantines, Brian Hoyer is expected to start in his place. He has been Newton’s backup in each of the Patriots’ previous three games.
How long Newton is sidelined is to be determined. According to NFL guidelines, for players who test positive and are showing symptoms, at least 10 days must go by between when symptoms first occurred and 72 hours since symptoms last occurred. In that scenario a player likely would miss a minimum of two games. But if a player tests positive and is asymptomatic, he can return 10 days after the initial positive test or just five days if he has two consecutive negative tests.
More positive tests for the Titans
The Titans added another player — defensive end Jeffery Simmons — to the reserve/ COVID-19 list, giving the team positive tests for five consecutive days. The team has a total of eight players and 10 staff members who have tested positive.
The game against the Steelers on Sunday already has been postponed, but now the Titans’ game against the Bills next Sunday could be at risk.
The Titans’ last opponent, the Vikings, again had no positive test results from Friday’s tests, and they remain scheduled to visit the Texans on Sunday as scheduled. The Vikings went back to work inside their facility Thursday.
Injury updates
Packers linebacker Christian Kirksey (pectoral) and wide receiver Allen Lazard (core) were put on injured reserve after both players got hurt in a victory against the Saints. The players must sit out at least three games. The Packers (3-0) host the Falcons (0-3) on Monday night and then have an off week.
The Falcons’ top two receivers, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, both are listed as questionable. Kicker Younghoe Koo is out, meaning Elliott Fry will make his NFL debut Monday. Fry was in training camp with the Bears in 2019 but beaten out by Eddy Pineiro.
The Bills activated Josh Norman off injured reserve, making the cornerback eligible to play Sunday at the Raiders.
The 49ers activated receiver Deebo Samuel from injured reserve ahead of their game Sunday against the visiting Eagles.