Patriots say COVID misunderstanding lands Cam Newton in protocol

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton finds himself in COVID-19 protocol.

Cam Newton has been placed in the COVID-19 protocol for the next five days.

Why? An apparent “misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL team facilities.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Newton will be away from the New England Patriots for the next five days. While the Patriots do not play their final preseason game against the New York Giants until Sunday evening, this could potentially keep the star signal-caller out of action for this week. Regardless of if Newton tested positive or not, these misunderstandings could cost teams games.

Expect for first-round rookie Mac Jones to be getting all the first-team reps at practice this week.

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton is in COVID-19 protocol

Newton contracted the coronavirus last season. He was one of the most notable players in the NFL to do so. One could argue he was not the same player after having come down with COVID. While he is past his prime as a starting quarterback, this is his job to lose in New England. Jones may be the future at the position, but he is about a year or so away from running away with it.

Keep in mind that New England plays in a tough division and did not make the playoffs a season ago. Hopefully, this will be a lesson for Newton and the Patriots to take the COVID-19 protocols seriously. A misunderstanding during the preseason is one thing, but this is the type of thing that will inevitably cost some NFL team a game this season. One game is too precious to be wasted.

This right here is a competitive disadvantage to not being fully vaccinated from the coronavirus.