Patriots cancel practice after fifth player tests positive
Saban negative in follow- up test
The New England Patriots canceled practice Friday and later placed center James Ferentz on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list after he became the f ifth player on the team to test positive for the virus.
New England already twice had the original Week 5 matchup against Denver postponed following four earlier positive coronavirus tests by players.
The game is scheduled for Sunday but could be in jeopardy.
“I don’t really know the answer to that,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said when asked about f inally playing the Patriots.
“We’re under the assumption and understanding that this game’s going to go off on time. And anything that happens otherwise will happen when it happens.”
After announcing that several individuals within the organization tested positive for COVID- 19 and brief ly closing their practice facility, the Indianapolis Colts came back with an announcement that those tests were false positives, and the building was reopened.
“The team will open the practice facility this afternoon under the league’s intensive protocol and will continue preparation for Sunday’s game against Cincinnati,” the Colts said in a statement.
— S am Farmer
NFL leading rusher Dalvin Cook will sit out Minnesota’s game on Sunday because of a groin injury, giving Alexander Mattison the opportunity for his f irst start at running back. ... The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro ( abdominal) and wide receiver Diontae Johnson ( back) on Sunday. ... Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said wide receiver Davante Adams and defensive tackle Kenny Clark will be “ready to go” after both players missed multiple games with injuries.
ETC.
Alabama coach Nick Saban tested negative in a follow- up test for COVID- 19, leaving open the possibility of a return to the sideline today.
If Saban tests negative two more times, he would be allowed on the sidelines for the second- ranked Crimson Tide’s showdown with No. 3 Georgia on Saturday night.
The Southeastern Conference postponed next week’s game between Missouri and No. 10 Florida to Oct. 31, the third league contest moved this week because of COVID- 19 outbreaks.
Kansas football coach Les Miles was cleared to return to the Jayhawks after his positive test for COVID- 19 but out of caution would skip the team’s trip to West Virginia for Saturday’s game.
Brandon Crossley ended the f irst overtime possession with an interception and Chris Naggar made a 34- yard f ield goal to give No. 17 Southern Methodist a 37- 34 victory over host Tulane. ... Zach Wilson completed 25 of 35 passes for 400 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 14 Brigham Young to a 43- 26 victory over Houston.
The NCAA stripped Massachusetts of victories in men’s basketball and women’s tennis for overpaying 12 athletes about $ 9,100 in f inancial aid over three years, prompting criticism of the penalty from the Atlantic 10 Conference commissioner. The school plans to appeal the committee’s decision to vacate results from 2014 to 2017.
Anthony Joshua will defend his world heavyweight titles for the f irst time this year when he will face Kubrat Pulev on Dec. 12 in London.
Xander Schauffele made seven birdies over eight holes, including six in a row, for an eight- under 64 and a three- shot lead over Tyrrell Hatton in the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in North Las Vegas.
The Kings signed center Quinton Byfield to a threeyear entry level contract, striking a deal with the 18- year- old less than two weeks after they picked him second overall in the NHL draft.
— Jack Harris
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed 41- year- old forward Joe Thornton to a one- year, $ 700,000 contract. Thornton is a six- time All- Star and won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2006.