Jordan Ta’amu’s positive test puts Sunday’s Chiefs-Patriots game in further doubt
The NFL had hoped to potentially move Sunday’s Chiefs vs Patriots game to Monday or Tuesday night, as Cam Newton’s positive COVID-19 test delayed New England’s travel plans at the very least. While most of the concern was on New England’s side, as the team was forced into contact tracing and further COVID-19 testing thanks to Newton’s positive result, the Chiefs now must face a similar fate.
Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta’amu, formerly of the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks before signing a deal with Kansas City this offseason, has tested positive for COVID-19. The Chiefs must now undergo testing and contact tracing to ensure no further players have the virus.
It’s not just New England: #Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu has tested positive for COVID-19 and is being added to the reserve list, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 3, 2020
With the Chiefs and Patriots scrambling, the NFL has decided to postpone the game
The NFL had no other option. The game is expected to be played on Monday or Tuesday at this juncture. But just as was the case with the Titans-Steelers game that was expected to be played this Sunday, this is a fluid situation, meaning the NFL could step in if need be and further postpone the contest.
Ta’amu is fourth on the depth chart behind Patrick Mahomes, Matt Moore and Chad Henne. The Chiefs view the XFL QB as more of a project, hence his placement on the practice squad. He wouldn’t see real game action except in the case of emergency, but Ta’amu definitely has a role in the weekly practice rotation, and his close placement next to Mahomes in the QB room makes for a concerning situation.
We can only hope the Chiefs and Patriots test negative, and the game can be played on Tuesday night. But as we’ve seen thus far, nothing is predictable this year in the NFL.