ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The New England Patriots have cancelled practice Friday after there was one positive COVID-19 test, and possibly two, within the team, according to multiple reports out of Boston and New England.
The Patriots are scheduled to play the Broncos this Sunday at Gillette Stadium with kickoff at 11 a.m. MDT.
"No change to the game's status,'' a league spokesman texted to 9News. "Will let you know if anything changes."
Reports says Patriots and former Broncos center James Ferentz is the most recent New England player who will be placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. There were 4 players who tested positive last week including starting quarterback Cam Newton, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive tackle Byron Cowart.
There had also been reports the Patriots and NFL were waiting to confirm whether a second person tested positive.
"We're under the assumption and understanding that this game's going to go off on time,'' said Broncos head coach Vic Fangio. "Anything that happens otherwise will happen when it happens."
This game has already been delayed twice – first from Sunday, October 11 to Monday, October 12 and then again to Sunday, October 18 – because of previous positive COVID-19 tests within the Patriots’ organization.
The Patriots two best players – quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore – were among the four players who tested positive, although they have been medically cleared and returned to practice Thursday. They will not practice a second consecutive day.
The Broncos had two other home games – against the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers – rearranged to accommodate the rescheduled game against the Patriots for this Sunday.
The Broncos have not played since Thursday, October 1 against the New York Jets.
"We're getting good at (adjusting),'' Fangio said in a Zoom call Friday. "Every time it happens we get better. Every time you get a rep at something you get better.''
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