The Raiders suddenly have more to worry about than Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
New England quarterback Cam Newton, who played the entire game in a 36-20 win over the Raiders in Week 3, was added to the COVID-19 list Saturday after testiing positive for coronavirus, according to both ESPN and the NFL Network.
Because of positive tests from Newton and a Chiefs practice squad quarterback, the NFL announced the Patriots game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday would be rescheduled for Monday or Tuesday.
The Patriots released the following statement, which didn’t name Newton:
“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 were all negative for COVID-19.
“We are in close consultation with the NFL, as well as our team of independent doctors and specialitsts, and will follow their guidelines regarding our scheduled trip to Kansas City and game against the Chiefs.The health and safety of our team, as well as our opponent, are of the highest prioritity.”
The Chiefs are scheduled to host the Raiders in Week 5. According to the NFL Network, the Chiefs player who tested positive was practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta’amu.
The NFL issued the following statement on the Patriots-Chiefs game:
“The New England-Kansas City game scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday will be rescheduled to Monday or Tuesday after positive COVID-19 tests on both teams.
“In consultation with infectious disease experts, both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the NFLPA to evaluate multiple close contacts, perform additional testing and monitor developments. All decisions will be made with the health and safety of players, team and gameday personnel as our primary consideration.”
A scheduled game Sunday between Pittsburgh and Tennessee was postponed and rescheduled for Oct 25 after an outbreak of positive tests with the Titans. As of Saturday morning, ESPN reported, 16 members of the organization including eight players had positive tests.
The Raiders are home against Buffalo at Allegiant Stadium. Team officials could not be reached for comment.
Newton played the entire game against the Raiders, completing 17 of 28 passes for 172 yards and also rushing nine times for 27 yards.
The Raiders were the subject of coronavirus-related news the day after facing the Patriots when approximately 10 players attended a fundraiser by tight end Darren Waller and were videotaped not wearing masks in violation of NFL protocol, prompting coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr to defend the organization’s vigilance against the virus.
Gruden was fined $100,000 and the Raiders $250,000 following their Week 2 win over New Orleans because the head coach was not wearing his mask properly. Gruden wore a mask throughout the Patriots game.
Following the Saints game, according to an ESPN report, the Raiders were the subject of an investigation for allowing an unauthorized team employee in the locker room.
After the game, Gruden, when asked about the mask, told reporters he’d had the virus in mid-July.
The only Raiders player to test positive was defensive end Maxx Crosby during training camp. Crosby went on the COVID-19 list on Aug. 6 and was reinstated to the roster on Aug. 15.
Three Raiders players opted out of their contracts in early August because of COVID-19 concerns — linebacker Ukeme Eligwe, cornerback D.J. Killings and defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga.
Check back for more on this breaking story . . .
