Quarterback Cam Newton of the New England Patriots warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, September 27, 2020. /VCG
Cam Newton, quarterback of the New England Patriots, tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Field Yates.
"Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine. 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," said the Patriots in a statement on Saturday.
The league also released a statement revealing that there were "positive COVID-19 tests on both teams." Though the NFL will not decide the game's date until it receives more test results, according to ESPN, the competition may be postponed.
NFL Network confirmed that it was practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu of the Chiefs who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Quarterback Cam Newton of the New England Patriots throws the ball in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium, September 27, 2020. /VCG
Newton was one of the biggest surprises for the Patriots this season. In the past three games (2-1), he went 62-of-91 for 714 yards and threw two touchdown passes with two interceptions. Moreover, the 31-year-old also had 35 rushes for 149 yards and four touchdowns.
The Patriots will have to find his replacement. 34-year-old veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie Jarrett Stidham are both potential choices.
"We monitor everything every day. We don't just do it when there's a problem or something comes up somewhere else. We do it on a daily basis and make everyone aware – because this is everybody. It's not just players; it's players and coaches and staff and everybody else. If we can do something better, then we talk to them about how we can do it better. So we try to monitor it the best we can, and we, I think, are pretty vigilant with all of us," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the coronavirus outbreak with the Tennessee Titans earlier this week.