NFL investigating Patriots following positive COVID test
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL has opened an investigation into the Patriots’ adherence of the league’s COVID-19 protocols.
Sep 13, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wears a face mask during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cowoboys 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsBy Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
No, that headline isn't satire. It's not a joke. It's not The Onion.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL has opened an investigation into the Patriots' adherence of the league's COVID-19 protocols.
"Per a league source, the NFL promptly launched an investigation into whether the Patriots complied with all relevant protocols, after news of quarterback Cam Newton's positive test emerged," Florio writes in a post on Pro Football Talk.
Sep 13, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wears a face mask during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cowoboys 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Newton's positive test occurred Friday night, and was first reported Saturday morning. To this point, he is the only Patriots player to return a positive test result. All of the Patriots tests on Sunday morning (the most recent round of testing) came back negative.
It's not yet known if the Chiefs, who also had a positive test over the weekend, are being investigated by the league as well. The Tennessee Titans are being looked at due to their outbreak, but according to Florio that inquiry began "several days" after they started turning in positive tests.
Meanwhile, the NFL "promptly launched an investigation into the Patriots" according to Florio.
As of now, the plan is for the Patriots to fly to Kansas City Monday morning, then play the Chiefs the same night. Still, the game happening is contingent on the Patriots and Chiefs passing their remaining COVID tests, up through Monday morning.
Alex BarthWriter
Alex Barth is a digital content producer and on-air host for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Barth grew up in the Boston area and began covering the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox in 2017 before joining the Hub in 2020. He now covers all things Boston Sports for 985TheSportsHub.com as well as appearing on air. Alex writes about all New England sports, as well as college football. You can follow him across all social media platforms at @RealAlexBarth.
