Cam Newton could return in Week 5 under Covid-19 rules, but remains in question

Saturday AM update: Bill Belichick said Newton will not practice on Saturday when the team returns to its facility, according to Ben Volin. He did not appear to comment on whether or not Newton would be available on Monday.

Friday AM update: The Patriots Week 5 game against the Broncos has been moved to Monday evening. This would be 10 days since Cam Newton first tested positive for Covid-19. NBC Sports Boston’s Darren Hartwell noted the rule that an asymptomatic player is eligible to return to play 10 days after an initial positive test if the league approves. He is reportedly asymptomatic, and the rules allow for him to return even if he is testing positive if he is asymptomatic. It remains to be seen if the league would let him play if he has tested positive recently, but it leaves a return as a possibility.

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive for Covid-19 last Saturday, but has been asymptomatic as of Monday, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Initial reports had Newton more than likely missing Week 5’s home game against the Broncos, but there is a chance he could return as early as this week.

Newton will need to continue exhibiting no symptoms while also testing negative for coronavirus twice with at least 24 hours between the two tests. The virus appears to have been isolated, as Newton was the only Patriots player to test positive.

The team would very much like to get Newton back this week, as they struggled to move and not turn over the ball with both Brian Hoyer, who was benched in game and Jarrett Stidham at the helm.