Patriots activate Newton for Sunday
The New England Patriots activated quarterback Cam Newton from the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list on Wednesday.
Newton is expected to practice with the team on Thursday, which likely would lead to his starting on Sunday against Denver.
New England was 2-1 with Newton as its starter, then lost at Kansas City when he was sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus. Newton had tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 2.
Three Patriots remain on the COVID-19 reserve list: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive tackle Byron Cowart and practice squad DT Bill Murray. Gilmore was the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
New England players returned to the team’s facilities on Wednesday for the first time since participating in a walk-through Saturday to prepare for their now twice-postponed game against Denver. After a fourth positive COVID-19 test last Sunday, the NFL rescheduled the game with the Broncos — originally set for Sunday, but bumped to Monday after a handful of positive tests last week to this coming Sunday.
LATE TUESDAY
Titans 42, Bills 16: Ryan Tannehill threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in a showdown between two of the NFL’s five remaining undefeated teams pushed back two days after a couple more positive tests for Tennessee last week. The Titans (4-0) continued their best start since winning their first 10 games in 2008 despite not playing playing their last game Sept. 27. Josh Allen was intercepted twice, and the Bills had another turnover late that Tennessee turned into 21 points. The Bills (4-1) were held to their fewest points this season, snapping a streak of three straight games scoring at least 30 points. It was the most points Buffalo had allowed since 2018.
NFL TO TEST ON GAME DAY
The NFL has no plans to move into a bubble as it takes several new steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The league will begin PCR testing for COVID-19 on game days starting this week, use of masks in walk-throughs are now mandatory and only play-callers will be permitted to wear face shields in lieu of masks or gaiters on the sideline. “We cannot grow complacent, not the players, not the coaches, not the rest of our personnel,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. Goodell said the league will maintain flexibility in order to complete the season with the Super Bowl.
ELSEWHERE
Jaguars: Jacksonville acquired linebacker Kamalei Correa and a seventhrounder from the Titans for a sixth-rounder in 2021. Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said the team was preparing to release Correa, who was activated off the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list before Tuesday’s game. He was inactive.
Cardinals: Arizona All-Pro linebacker Chandler Jones is out for the season because of a biceps injury that requires surgery. Jones had a career-high 19 sacks in 2019. He had one sack this season while frequently drawing doubleteams from opposing blockers.