New England Patriots star cornerback Stephon Gilmore has tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports Wednesday morning.
NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report news of Gilmore’s positive test.
Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive late Friday night, prompting the NFL to push New England’s road game against the Kansas City Chiefs from Sunday to Monday night.
Gilmore, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, played every defensive snap in that game — a 26-10 Chiefs win — after returning negative tests for three consecutive days.
The Patriots took two planes for their flight to Kansas City: roughly 20 people who’d been in close contact with Newton on one and the rest of the team on the other. Gilmore was on the close contact plane, according to a report from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio.
If he does not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, Gilmore must return two negative tests separated by 24 hours before he can rejoin the team. If he is symptomatic, he must sit out at least 10 days.
Gilmore’s positive test puts Sunday’s Week 5 matchup between the Patriots and Denver Broncos in jeopardy.
Newton reportedly was asymptomatic as of Tuesday afternoon and, if cleared, could return to the Patriots as early as late this week.
Patriots practice squad defensive tackle Bill Murray, who did not travel to KC, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday afternoon.
No Chiefs players have tested positive in the wake of Monday’s game, according to a report from ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The Patriots canceled practice Wednesday in the wake of Gilmore’s positive test. Head coach Bill Belichick also postponed a video conference he had scheduled for Wednesday morning.
