New coronavirus case pushes Patriots-Broncos game to next Sunday, closes facility

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots' game scheduled for Monday against the Denver Broncos has been rescheduled to Oct. 18 after a new positive coronavirus case on Sunday, according to the NFL.

The game will kick off at 1 p.m., the NFL announced Sunday.

“The decision was made to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts,” the NFL said in a statement Sunday.

Because of the positive test, the Patriots' facility shut down on Sunday for further testing, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

On Monday morning, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that the Pats had “no new positive tests in the latest round of testing from Sunday, per a source.”

Schefter said the Patriots have four positive coronavirus tests over the past eight days -- including quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. This is the third shutdown of the Patriots' facility in 10 days, he reported.

Newton’s father, Cecil Newton, spoke with a reporter on Sunday about his son’s coronavirus diagnosis. He said he asked Cam whether he had any symptoms, including a fever, chills, cough or a headache.

“I was asking him about his immune system and how did he feel...he had none of the symptoms,” Cecil Newton said. “So I think he’ll be able to combat his way through it.”

Reiss reported that the Patriots are off on Monday and Tuesday. The plan is for them to practice on Wednesday.

Cox Media Group