By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The NFL has confirmed a new start time for Patriots-Broncos on Monday. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. ET, the league announced on Thursday.
In addition, the Tennessee Titans’ game against the Buffalo Bills has been moved to Tuesday, Oct. 13 with an expected kickoff time of 7 p.m. ET. The Titans have had a full-on outbreak of COVID-19, with 23 combined players and team personnel testing positive over the past couple of weeks. Some Titans players reportedly broke NFL protocols by meeting for an unauthorized private workout.
No reports have come out about any illegal practices involving the Patriots. However, Adam Schefter told 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia that Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore were spotted having dinner together last Friday night. Both Newton and Gilmore have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
For two straight days, the Patriots have received no new positive tests for COVID-19 through overnight PCR testing. But according to Tom Pelissero, multiple Patriots players have been identified as being in close contact with Gilmore and at high risk for the virus. The Patriots will not practice Friday and have met virtually all week.
A view of Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (Matt Dolloff/WBZ-FM)
Of course, Newton’s positive test for COVID-19 came back on Saturday morning, which forced the Patriots and Chiefs’ game to be pushed back a day at the last minute. So the Pats aren’t necessarily out of the woods yet. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest with COVID-19 in Foxboro and the Patriots-Broncos start time, if it changes.
Ty Anderson and I talked about the latest developments with the Patriots, COVID-19, and the NFL in the newest episode of the Sports Hub Sidelines podcast. Have a listen below. Football stuff starts at 39:06.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff or send him a nasty email at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.