Cam Newton’s COVID-related absence opens door for Mac Jones as Patriots starting

The COVID-19 protocols jointly agreed to by the NFL and NFL Players Association this summer made it clear that players — and ultimately their teams — would be at a competitive disadvantage if they didn’t get vaccinated.

Cam Newton may be finding that out this week.

The Patriots‘ incumbent starting quarterback and leader for the post for Week 1 of the 2021 season (for now) must sit out half of this week’s practices because of what the team is calling a “misunderstanding” about testing requirements. Locked in a battle with rookie Mac Jones, Newton will miss the first joint practice with the New York Giants on Wednesday before being eligible to return on Thursday prior to their final exhibition on Sunday.

“On Saturday, Cam Newton traveled to a Club-approved medical appointment that required him to leave the New England area,” said the team in a statement Monday morning. “He received daily Covid tests, which were all negative. Due to a misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities, and as required by the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Cam will be subject to the five-day entry cadence process before returning to the facility. Cam will continue participating virtually in team activities and return to the club facility on Thursday, August 26.” 

The Patriots don’t explicitly reveal Newton’s vaccination status in the statement, but the statement also makes clear he is not if you know the league’s protocols. Vaccinated players aren’t subject to travel restrictions under the protocols. Vaccinated players (and coaches) are only required to be tested once every 14 days and wouldn’t have “received daily Covid tests” like Newton did, according to the statement.

Who will be the Patriots’ starting quarterback this season? Can Mac Jones unseat Cam Newton? And what does it mean for the rest of the Patriots’ players? Download the CBS Sports app to find out! Plus, get insight from our resident Patriots insider, Tyler Sullivan. If you already have the CBS Sports app, make sure to pick the Patriots as your favorite team for up-to-the-minute news.

It’s unclear what exactly was misunderstood but it was likely one of two outcomes: either Newton missed one of his daily tests (which would subject him to a $50,000 fine by the league), or he did not get the Mesa test required by the league but another kind of test. Whether it was his fault or the team’s or both is also unclear.  

Anecdotally, it’s also been obvious Newton isn’t vaccinated. He’s worn masks to outdoor press conferences and declined to divulge whether he got the shot. At this point nearly nine months into an American society with the vaccine, that usually means one has not been vaccinated.

“It’s too personal to discuss,” Newton said earlier this month. “I’ll just keep it at that.”

I am pro-vaccine and haven’t hidden that when discussing COVID on air or on this here site. Months ago I decided against spending my days railing against NFL players who opted not to get the vaccine. There are too many of them, speaking nonsense too regularly, for me to fight them. I simply couldn’t expend any more…