Report: Broncos Expecting To See Cam Newton On Monday

The New England Patriots are scheduled to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 5. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s test returned positive and the NFL moved the game from Sunday afternoon to Monday night. The Patriots placed Gilmore and defensive tackle Bill Murray on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Broncos players hope to see veteran quarterback Cam Newton on the field on Monday. He was the first Patriots players to test positive for coronavirus.

Newton missed Week 4 and his team lost the game to the Kansas City Chiefs. Patriots haven’t made any comments regarding Newton’s return. However, Broncos players are definitely preparing as though Newton would join his teammates on Monday.

Broncos players are ready for Cam Newton

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said that his players have been practicing as though they’ll be confronting a Newton-led offense.

“Yeah, I mean we’ve been under that assumption the whole time that he would be playing,” Fangio told media members. “And then adjust if he’s not. Just like Kansas City did last week with the late positive test in the week. Just like Pittsburgh had to do against us when Drew [Lock] got hurt in the second series of our game. Yeah, we’re anticipating Newton playing but we’ll be ready if he’s not the quarterback.”

Newton hasn’t shown any symptoms and he may come off the reserve/COVID-19 list 10 days after his initial positive test. Monday is the 10th day since Newton’s positive test.

New England worked remotely all week. Players will hit the practice field behind Gillette Stadium on Saturday if they don’t have any other positive tests.

If Newton doesn’t join his teammates for Monday’s game, head coach Bill Belichick will probably put second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham under center.

Stidham had a couple of interceptions in Week 4, but his connection with N’Keal Harry was brilliant and Belichick likes that.

Hoyer struggled in the first half and Belichick benched him in the third quarter. Stidham wasn’t brilliant, but he had a much better performance in the game against the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs.