FOXBOROUGH (Mass.) The New England Patriots' quarterback Cam Newton will not be able to attend the team's Thursday practice due to a "misunderstanding" regarding COVID-19 tests that were "conducted away NFL facilities," the club announced Monday.
According to the team, Newton's absence is due to his Patriots-approved medical appointment which required him to leave New England.
He was subject to daily Covid testing, all of which were negative. Cam will now be subject to the five day entry cadence process, as per the NFL-NFLPA protocols. This is due to confusion about tests that were conducted outside of NFL facilities.
NFL-NFLPA protocols state that Tier 1 and Tier 2 players, including all players, are exempted from daily testing and can travel if they have had the COVID-19 vaccination.
Newton will continue to participate in team activities via the internet, but will be absent from practices Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The New York Giants will be holding a practice in Foxborough on Wednesday.
Newton is absent so Mac Jones, a first-round pick, moves up the depth charts, followed by Brian Hoyer, a veteran.
Although Newton was named the starting quarterback by Coach Bill Belichick earlier Monday, he will still need to establish that position throughout the preseason, just like any other player. Belichick stated that there may be a change in any position if someone performs well than the starter, or if the starter isn’t available.
Newton had taken No. Newton had taken No. He was a starter in both preseason games. He is currently 12-of-16 passing for an impressive 152 yards with one touchdown. He has played 29 snaps.
Jones was the No. Jones was the No. 2 quarterback in practice and in the preseason. Over two preseason games, he is 26-of 38 passing for 233 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He has played 77 minutes.
Newton declined to answer a question about his vaccinations earlier in training camp. He said it was a personal matter.
