New England Patriots starting quarterback Cam Newton has tested positive for COVID-19. In a corresponding move, the NFL has moved this week’s Patriots game against the Kansas City Chiefs to either Monday or Tuesday night.
Patriots’ QB Cam Newton tested positive and is out for Sunday’s game vs. Kansas City, per @FieldYates and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2020
The league is apparently moving the game to give the teams time to thoroughly test all players and staff members to ensure there are no more positives spread through the organization.
One source added, “Tuesday is more likely.” https://t.co/CJCA60ZAPL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2020
It has been reported that the Chiefs also had positive tests, but names of those who did so are not known at this time.
Assuming Newton won’t be in the lineup, for this week and possibly into the future, New England will look to Jarrett Stidham, who was in line to be the Pats’ starter before Newton was signed heading into the season.
Newton, 31, agreed to join the Patriots on July 8 on a $1.65 million contract.
If the new Pats quarterback is the only positive, the game should go on, albeit during its rescheduled time. However, if there are more tests, the game could be called off, or at least put the league in a situation where it may be tempting to cancel or postpone until a future date.
Newton, the MVP of the league in 2015, has carried the New England offense this season. He has 149 rushing yards with four touchdowns on the ground on 35 carries as well as completed 62 of 91 passes for 714 yards and two scores.
The 24-year-old Stidham appeared in three games last season, his rookie year. He completed two of four passes for 14 yards. He was taken out of Auburn in the fourth round by the Patriots during the 2019 NFL Draft.
