‘Misunderstanding’ sidelines Newton
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton will miss at least three days of practice this week after traveling to a team-approved, out of town medical appointment over the weekend, possibly opening the door for rookie Mac Jones to gain ground in their competition to be the Week 1 starter.
The team said in a statement Monday that Newton went to the appointment Saturday and tested negative each day for COVID-19.
But due to a “misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities” that is required by NFL and NFLPA protocols, he has been subjected to a five-day, re-entry cadence before he can return to the Patriots’ team facilities.
The earliest he’s eligible to return is Thursday.
The statement said Newton will continue participating in team activities virtually while he is being held out of practices. How it will affect his availability for the Patriots’ exhibition finale against the Giants on Sunday will be determined.
According to the NFL’S COVID-19 protocols that were most recently updated on July 27, only unvaccinated players are subject to the five-day re-entry cadence that requires daily testing. Fully vaccinated players are required to test once every 14 days.
Asked earlier this month whether he has been vaccinated for COVID-19, Newton declined to answer.
QB Carson Wentz returned to practice for the Colts three weeks after surgery to remove a broken bone from his left foot. Wentz, who took all the first-team reps in 7-on-7 work, said he’s “optimistic” about playing in the Colts’ regular-season opener . ... Jets LB Jarrad Davis is expected to miss about two months with a left ankle injury. He’s expected to be back by Week 6 . ... The Browns placed K Cody Parkey on injured reserve with a quad injury. Chase Mclaughlin will take over as team’s kicker.
College football: No. 7 Iowa State and No. 9 Notre Dame each had three players selected to The AP preseason All-america first team.
Golf: Former Masters champ Patrick Reed is recovering in a Houston hospital after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, the Golf Channel reported. Reed, 31, will not play in this week’s BMW Championship, the second tournament of the Fedex Cup playoffs. He already had withdrawn from The Northern Trust because of an ankle injury.
Hockey: Jimmy Hayes, who won a national championship at Boston College and played seven seasons in the NHL, died. He was 31. A law enforcement official said medics on Monday were called to the Hayes home in the Boston suburbs, where he was pronounced dead. No other details were disclosed. Younger brother Kevin Hayes is a center for the Flyers . ... Rod Gilbert, the Hall of Fame right wing who starred for the Rangers, died Sunday. He was 80. The team didn’t provide details. Gilbert, who spent his entire 18-year career with the Rangers, holds team records for goals and points.
Soccer: Liverpool refused to release Mohamed Salah for Egypt’s upcoming World Cup qualifying matches because of coronavirus restrictions. Egypt is on Britain’s red list, so Salah would be required to quarantine upon his return from Cairo and miss two Premier League games.