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Report: Cam Newton tests positive for COVID-19, won't play vs. Chiefs

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/3/20

The New England Patriots will be without their starting quarterback this weekend, and possibly beyond.

Cam Newton has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus and won't play Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. New England has been doing mass testing and re-testing and so far the virus has not spread, Schefter adds.

Patriots have been doing mass testing and re-testing and, so far, there is no spread, per source. https://t.co/0XyCkixjgv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 3, 2020

Newton sitting out Week 4 against the Chiefs is a huge loss for the Patriots, who now will have to rely on either Brian Hoyer or Jarrett Stidham...provided the game is still played.

The former Carolina Panthers signal-caller has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks through three weeks of the 2020 campaign, doing work with both his arm and legs. Newton has led the Patriots to a 2-1 record, completing 68.1% of his passes for 714 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions. He's added 149 yards and four touchdowns in 35 carries on the ground.

It won't be surprising if the Patriots decide to start Brian Hoyer, who last made a start against the Chiefs in 2015, before the Patrick Mahomes era. At that time, Hoyer was with the Houston Texans and the team fell to Kansas City 27-20.

There's also the possibility that the game between the two AFC rivals is postponed. While no one else has tested positive as of Sunday, other positive tests in the coming days are a possibility. The Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers game has already been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak within the Tennessee organization, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the NFL call off Sunday's game between the Patriots and Chiefs as well.

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