Cam Newton has tested positive for the coronavirus, sources tell ESPN. The New England Patriots quarterback will be out for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots released a statement early Saturday morning, saying someone on the team tested positive but didn’t reveal the player’s name.
“Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine,” the statement read. “Several additional players, coaches 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.”
The NFL also released a statement regarding the rescheduling of the game, saying that it would be postponed for a later date since there were positive diagnosis from players on both the Patriots and the Chiefs teams. The league said it will be administering more testing and monitoring any developments.
The game was scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday (Oct. 4) but it will now take place either on Monday or Tuesday.
ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter was among the first to report the news on Twitter and reported that the Patriots were supposed to leave for Kansas City at 1 p.m. but the flight was not leaving then.
The team is now on standby as they await more results. Sources are now saying that the players are now leaving for KC on Sunday to prepare to play Monday or Tuesday. The Patriots have reportedly been doing mass testing and re-testing and, so far, there is no spread. This is the first time the New England team is affected by the coronavirus but others in the NFL have already been hit hard by the virus since the start of the season.
Eight Tennessee Titans players reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The Titans added receivers Adam Humphries and Cameron Batson to their team’s reserve list on Friday (Oct. 2) and another player and two staff members tested positive Saturday, according to Schefter.