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New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton will be absent for five days following a "misunderstanding" regarding COVID-19 testing. He was traveling to a medical appointment and had misunderstood the results.
The complete statement by the Pats Monday is here:
Cam Newton was required to travel to New England for a club-approved appointment. Cam Newton was subject to daily COVID testing, all of which were negative. Cam will undergo the five-day entry process, as required by the NFL–NFLPA protocols, due to confusion about tests that were conducted outside of NFL facilities. Cam will continue to participate in team activities via the internet and return to club on Thursday, August 26.
Newton was a part of Thursday's 35-0 preseason defeat by the Philadelphia Eagles. Newton completed eight of nine passes for 103 yards, with a touchdown pass and no interceptions.
New England did not provide any additional information regarding Newton's medical checkup.
Auburn's 32-year-old product had shoulder surgery in January 2019, and was unable to play in the 2019 season due to a foot injury.
Newton missed only one game in his first year with Pats, the Week 4 loss to Kansas City Chiefs. He had tested positive for COVID-19. But he wasn't the same dynamic player that won the 2015 NFL MVP Award with the Carolina Panthers. In 2020, he was 30th in ESPN's Total QBR.
Despite missing OTAs this year due to a minor injury to his hand, the Georgia native has looked stronger throughout training camp as well as the preseason.
Newton was part of a competition alongside rookie Mac Jones, who is the No. The No. 15 draft pick who led Alabama to the national title last year was Newton. However, Bill Belichick, the head coach, said that the incumbent has an advantage.
"The fact that Cam began last year and he is heresomebody would have had to play better than him." Training camp is all competition," Belichick stated Monday on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" (via ESPN's Mike Reiss).
Newton will be returning to the team on Thursday. He'll still be available to play in Sunday’s preseason finale against New York Giants. However, it's not clear how much time the Pats' starters will see in Sunday's exhibition game.
September 12th will see the Patriots host the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins to kick off their regular season.
