The Patriots went back to work Saturday, Oct. 17, one day after a fifth player on the team tested positive for COVID-19 and one day before their twice-postponed game against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos had COVID-19 news of their own Saturday: Running backs coach Curtis Modkins has tested positive and won’t make the trip to New England. Elsewhere, the Jacksonville Jaguars said that a practice-squad player tested positive. The Jaguars also placed defensive end Josh Mauro on the regular COVID-19 list. The Falcons had to shut their facility Thursday but reopened Friday after one nonplayer tested positive.

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore plays during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. – Patriots quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore returned to practice for the first time since testing positive for the coronavirus, putting both players on track to be in the lineup when New England hosts Denver on Sunday. Newton, who missed New England's loss at Kansas City after his Oct. 2 positive test, was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Gilmore was activated from the list Thursday, following his Oct. 7 positive test. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was noncommittal when asked Thursday about the likelihood of Newton and Gilmore being ready to play this weekend.

The New England Patriots have canceled practice amid reports that a third player has tested positive for the coronavirus. – The New England Patriots activated quarterback Cam Newton from the NFL's COVID-19 reserve list on Wednesday. Three Patriots remain on the COVID-19 reserve list: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive tackle Byron Cowart and practice squad DT Bill Murray. New England players say they have found an ally in coach Bill Belichick amid growing local criticism of the NFL’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bill has done a good job of (saying), ‘Hey, this is forever kind of changing, it’s very fluid,’” Patriots safety Devin McCourty said.

The Patriots, who can extend their NFL record to 11 consecutive playoff berths with a win, will also be missing a key offensive cog. ___KANSAS CITY-NEW ENGLANDChiefs: RB Damien Williams, CB Rashad Fenton, CB Morris Claiborne, OL Jackson Barton, OL Nick Allegretti, TE Deon Yelder, QB Chad Henne. Patriots: C Ted Karras, DL Byron Cowart, CB Joejuan Williams, QB Cody Kessler, OL Korey Cunningham, TE Ryan Izzo, RB Damien Harris. Bills: RB T.J. Yeldon, S Dean Marlowe, OG Ike Boettger, RT Ty Nsekhe, WR Duke Williams, TE Tommy Sweeney, DT Vincent Taylor. Packers: WR Ryan Grant, CB Kevin King, RB Dexter Williams, CB Tony Brown, CB Ka'dar Hollman, G/T Adam Pankey, T Yosh Nijman.