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Cam Newton tests positive for COVID-19

BOSTON — The New England Patriots' newest quarterback, Cam Newton, has tested positive for COVID-19.

ESPN senior reporter Adam Schefter announced the news via Twitter Saturday morning. Multiple reporters from the NFL Network also confirmed the news.

Schefter said no other Patriots players have tested positive.

The Patriots confirmed the news in a statement:

“Late last night, we received notice that a Patriots player tested positive for COVID-19. The player immediately entered self-quarantine. Several additional players, coaches and staff who have been in close contact with the player received point of care tests this morning and all were negative for COVID-19.”

The New England team was set to play the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri. It was initially unclear if the game would be rescheduled or if the Patriots would have a backup quarterback play in Newton’s place.

The NFL later said it would be rescheduled to Monday or Tuesday.

The Tennessee Titans were also scheduled to play the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, but the game was canceled after eight players and eight staff members associated with the Titans tested positive for the coronavirus.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggested it would be unsurprising if more Patriots players announce positive test results in the days to come.

“Patriots players were alerted this morning to come in and get [point of contact] tests because a player had tested positive,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on Twitter. “That player is Cam Newton. The immediate results were no more positives. As we’ve seen in Tennessee, results often take days to manifest.”

Unlike the NBA, the NFL did not create a bubble environment for players and staffers as a method to slow the spread of COVID-19.