QB Newton off COVID-19 list
The Patriots activated quarterback Cam Newton from the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list Wednesday.
Newton is expected to practice with the team Thursday, which likely would lead to his starting Sunday against the Broncos.
The Patriots were 2-1 with Newton as their starter, then lost on the road to the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs when he was sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus. Newton had tested positive for the coronavirus Oct. 2.
Three Patriots remain on the COVID-19 reserve list: CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Byron Cowart and practice squad DT Bill Murray.
Gilmore was the 2019 NFL defensive player of the year.
■ The NFL canceled January’s Pro Bowl scheduled for Las Vegas. During an owners meeting held virtually, the league opted to call off the all-star game, hoping to replace it with a variety of virtual activities. The NFL needs flexibility in January in case it needs tomove regular-season games to that month because of the coronavirus pandemic. A fan vote for Pro Bowl rosters still will be held, beginning Nov. 17. The rosters will be announced in December. Players, coaches and fans vote for the Pro Bowl. ... The Titans traded LB Kamalei Correa and a 2021 seventhround draft pick to the Jaguars for a 2021 sixth-round pick. Correa, 26, was frustrated with his diminished role after he played only 38 snaps on defense (14%) and 23 special-teams snaps in three games. ... Washington backup QB Dwayne Haskins, who missed Sunday’s game because of an illness, was sent home from the practice facility for the same reason. Coach Ron Rivera said Haskins’ sickness isn’t COVID 19-related, but rather gastrointestinal. ... Broncos RB Melvin Gordon was cited late Tuesday for driving under the influence and could now face league and team discipline.
College football: The NCAA announced that all teams will be allowed to compete in bowl games— regardless of their win-loss record— as part of one-time rules changes in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
NHL: The Canadiens signed forward Brendan Gallagher to a six-year contract extension through the 2026-27 season worth an average of $6.5 million per year. Gallagher, 28, had 22 goals and 43 points in 59 games last season.
Soccer: U.S. and Juventus mid fielder Weston McKennie tested positive for the coronavirus. McKennie, 22, becomes the second Juventus player to test positive this week, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s result announced Tuesday.
Tennis: Top-seeded Fabio Fognini of Italy withdrew from the Sardinia Open after testing positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation. Fognini said in a statement that he was experiencing mild symptoms, including a slight cough and a headache caused by a fever.