Report: Cam Newton tests positive for Covid-19

The New England Patriots received some shocking news on Saturday as quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for Covid-19, per Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. He will not be allowed to play in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs as he works through the health protocol.

Brian Hoyer has been serving as Newton’s backup, with Jarrett Stidham inactive each of the first three weeks this season. Stidham seems to be the guy they might want long-term, but does Hoyer give them a better chance to win in Week 4 against an impressive Chiefs team?

In the meantime, Adam Schefter is reporting the Patriots have been doing re-testing on the rest of the roster and have not had any additional positive results since learning of Newton’s positive test. The team as not yet left for Kansas City while the re-testing takes place.

UPDATE: The Patriots released the following statement. They did not mention Cam Newton specifically, but they also cannot without player permission.