Patriots cancel practice following positive COVID test
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
UPDATE: The Patriots are believed to have only one positive test result today, source says. The game against the Broncos remains scheduled for Sunday at this point.
Here we go again.
25 minutes before the Patriots were due to practice on Friday, the team canceled practice and media availability for the rest of the day.
Following that announcement, Reporting with @FieldYates: The Patriots will be canceling their Friday practice after a positive COVID-19 test, per a source. There is also a second test they are awaiting to confirm is a positive.
According to The #Patriots knew of the positive test last night, source says. They could’ve practiced today under NFL protocols with players wearing masks/face shields, but Belichick decided to cancel practice out of caution.
These would be the Patriots’ fifth and potentially sixth positive tests since their first (Cam Newton) on October 2. The most recent was Byron Cowart on October 11.
The Patriots have been highly cautious since Newton first tested positive three weeks ago. Thursday’s practice was the first full session the team has had since October 2. Players have been visiting the facility in position groups, spaced out throughout the day, to limit exposure.
As of now, the Patriots are still scheduled to host the Broncos Sunday at 1. That game is already on it’s third scheduled date, after Cowart’s positive test pushed it from Sunday to Monday last week. With both teams already past their bye and seven other games shuffled to accommodate, the NFL could be handcuffed if the Patriots can’t go in two days.
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Alex Barth is a writer and 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. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].