FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots canceled practices for Wednesday and Thursday after cornerback Stephon Gilmore became the third player on the team in five days to test positive for the coronavirus.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Gilmore acknowledged his positive test for the virus, but said he remains asymptomatic and “will take this as it comes.”
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The Patriots put Gilmore on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
“I don’t know what to expect, but my spirt is high because of God,” Gilmore wrote. “I’ve followed every protocol, yet it happened to me. Please take this seriously. The ‘Gilly Lock’ is going to sit down until the medical professionals let me know it’s best to continue normal activity. Your well wishes and prayers mean the world to me and my family."
For now the Patriots are still scheduled to host the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Patriots players had the day off Tuesday, meaning that Friday could be their only practice this week if the game proceeds as planned. Players and coaches will conduct meetings remotely Thursday. Patriots coach Bill Belichick's scheduled session Wednesday with reporters was also pushed back until Thursday.
Starting quarterback Cam Newton missed New England’s loss at Kansas City on Monday night after a positive COVID-19 test and was added to the reserve list Saturday. Practice squad player Bill Murray joined him on the list Tuesday.
Newton's positive test prompted the NFL to postpone New England’s game with the Chiefs by a day.
Newton tweeted a picture of himself Wednesday morning wearing a mask, along with the caption: “WEAR YOUR MASK. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE.”
Whether Newton or Gilmore could be available on Sunday depends on whether they were showing symptoms at the time of their positive tests.
According to the NFL’s updated COVID testing protocols, players showing symptoms can’t return until at least 10 days have passed since symptoms were first reported and at least 24 hours have passed since their last fever. All other symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath, also must have improved.
If a player tests positive but is asymptomatic, he must either wait 10 days from the initial positive test, or can return after having two consecutive negative tests 24 hours apart.
Gilmore played every defensive snap for New England in the 26-10 defeat at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday.
Pictures and video of him and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes briefly exchanging a hug and talking face-to-face after Kansas City’s win went across social media Wednesday following the initial reports of Gilmore’s positive test.
Mahomes called his decision to congratulate Gilmore a “mental lapse” and “just sportsmanship.”
“I think you just have to trust in the process and protocols that are set in place,” Mahomes said. “Obviously knowing that I went up to him after the game and gave him a high-five, like I have all my career and not thinking about it — it was a mental lapse, just sportsmanship. But I think the protocols are good, wearing my mask and staying safe.”
Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday that he doesn't have any concerns about playing in New England on Sunday.
“I feel fine. You know, I go to the grocery store, too. I just have a lot of confidence in the NFL, the players’ union,” he said. “They’re doing a good job working together on all these issues and I’m sure everything will be safe for all involved and I’m totally confident in it.”
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AP Sports Writers Dave Skretta in Kansas City, Mo. and Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colo. contributed to this report.
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