Patriots-Broncos game postponed due to another positive COVID-19 test for New England
The Monday game between the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos has been postponed after another Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.
According to Mike Klis of Denver’s 9News and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Patriots’ facility has been closed again after a positive result was found from Saturday’s round of testing. The Pats had just returned to practice on Saturday after Stephon Gilmore’s positive test closed down their facility last week.
NFL is shutting down the Patriots’ facility this morning, marking the third shutdown there in 10 days, sources tell me and @FieldYates. Patriots are testing this morning and awaiting further direction from the NFL. But the status of Monday night’s game vs. Denver is in question.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
Reports of Patriots having another positive test puts Monday game vs Broncos under further review. What must be considered: Broncos well being. Can’t imagine Broncos players or their families wanting game against team not cleared from virus. #9news
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 11, 2020
As of Sunday afternoon, the NFL declined to name a date and time in which the game will be played.
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2020
However ESPN reported that the game is being moved to Week 6 (though not on Monday).
Broncos-Patriots game is being moved to next Sunday, sources tell ESPN.
Broncos were supposed to play Miami; that won’t happen. That game is being rescheduled.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
The NFL’s schedule is getting more chaotic by the day. The Broncos will not play the Miami Dolphins in Week 6, and that game will be moved to another date. That’s inconvenient for Denver and what’s worse is that the Broncos are now losing their Week 8 bye due to the NFL’s rescheduling square dance.
Confirming Broncos-Pats game has been moved to next Sunday. Broncos game vs Dolphins in Denver will be rescheduled. Broncos lose their week 8 bye. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) October 11, 2020
The Broncos aren’t the reason the game is being moved, yet they’re getting the bad end of this deal because they’re losing their planned bye week and being forced to take it earlier than they anticipated.
That’s NFL life during COVID-19. Just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers.
No other positive tests on Sunday
There is a sliver of good news for the NFL on Sunday. Aside from the positives on the Patriots and Tennessee Titans, Saturday’s testing reportedly revealed no other new COVID-19 infections in the NFL.
No other positive tests around the NFL besides the coach in Tennessee and the player in New England from Saturday's round of COVID-19 testing, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 11, 2020
Despite that, it’s been a rough week for the NFL as far as COVID-19 goes. Players have been breaking the NFL’s protocols and then complaining that the NFL isn’t protecting them. The NFL has been forced to threaten the forfeiture of games if teams don’t follow the protocols and take mask wearing seriously.
With a Monday game now postponed, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to get any easier from here.
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