COVID CRISIS
Pats’ Newton tests positive, game vs. Chiefs postponed Titans are up to 18 cases, putting next game in doubt
Cam Newton has coronavirus, pushing Patriots-Chiefs game back at least a day or two, while Titans’ outbreak grows and puts Week 5 game at risk.
A strange NFL season got stranger Saturday morning when Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for the coronavirus, a league source confirmed to the Daily News. The former NFL MVP won't play in the highly anticipated showdown in Kansas City which will now be rescheduled for either Monday or Tuesday, the league announced.
The Chiefs reportedly had practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu test positive.
“The New England-Kansas City game scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday will be rescheduled to Monday or Tuesday after positive COVID-19 tests on both teams,” the NFL said in a statement.
The Patriots and Chiefs closed their facilities for the weekend for contact tracing, a league source confirmed. So, it would appear that Tuesday would be the earliest the game could be played. Postponing the game until later in the season would be the safer course of action.
The Patriots released a statement Saturday morning:
“Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine. Several additional players, coach and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point-of-care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19.
“We are in close consultation with the NFL, as well as our team of independent doctors and specialists and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled trip to Kansas City and game against the Chiefs. The health and safety of our team, as well as our opponent are of highest priority.”
Newton has looked rejuvenated with six total touchdowns (two passing and four rushing) to help the Patriots to a 2-1 start. Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham are the other quarterback's on Bill Belichick's roster.
The latest bombshell comes during a week when the Titans had an outbreak that forced the NFL to shut down their team facility and move their game with the Steelers to later this month. More Titans employees (one player and staff members) tested positive on Saturday.
On Saturday, the Titans added defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons to the reserve/ COVID-19 list. Two staff members also tested positive for COVID-19, raising the team's total to 18 since Sept. 24, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans had announced the latest results. Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday he wouldn't be identifying staff members who had tested positive.
The Titans' outbreak seemingly started Sept. 24 when the Titans placed cornerback Greg Mabin from their practice squad on the reserve/ COVID-19 list.
On Saturday, the Titans added defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons to the reserve/ COVID-19 list. Two staff members also tested positive for COVID-19, raising the team's total to 18 since Sept. 24, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans had announced the latest results. Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Wednesday he wouldn't be identifying staff members who had tested positive.
The Titans' outbreak seemingly started Sept. 24 when the Titans placed cornerback Greg Mabin from their practice squad on the reserve/ COVID-19 list.
Since outside linebacker coach Shane Bowen's test result came back positive on Sept. 26, the Titans have had now eight players and seven other team personnel test positive. Bowen didn't travel with Tennessee (3-0) to Minnesota for their 31-30 win last week.
The Titans now on the reserve/COVID-19 list include: defensive captain DaQuan Jones, long snapper Beau Brinkley, wide receiver Adam Humphries, outside linebacker Kamalei Correa, and rookie cornerback Kristian Fulton, their second-round pick out of LSU, with receiver Cameron Batson and tight end Tommy Hudson from the practice squad.