Curran: Why Pats are nonetheless taking part in regardless of COVID-19 outcomes initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston

Final Sunday morning we discovered Patriots defensive lineman Byron Cowart examined optimistic for COVID-19.

That – mixed with the optimistic take a look at for Stephon Gilmore on Wednesday, the optimistic take a look at for apply squad participant Invoice Murray on Monday and the unique optimistic take a look at for Cam Newton the earlier Friday – was sufficient for the NFL (with sturdy urging from the Patriots) to postpone their Monday recreation in opposition to Denver.

But the previous two days, the Patriots had two extra optimistic assessments – heart James Ferentz and operating again Sony Michel. In addition they despatched two different gamers to the COVID reserve record – Derek Rivers and Shaq Mason – as a result of they have been decided to be “high-risk shut contacts.” But the sport with Denver is on.

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What’s completely different this week?

After talking with a few staff sources, just a few issues have modified. And we are able to begin with the actual fact the understanding and luxury stage are completely different now than they have been within the wake of the Kansas Metropolis journey.

Bear in mind when the Patriots flew to Kansas Metropolis within the wake of Newton’s optimistic? The outbreak in Tennessee which might develop to 25 instances was getting ridiculous.

The Patriots – having simply flown backwards and forwards to Kansas Metropolis – have been on pins and needles that their state of affairs would possibly mirror that of the Titans, who had a optimistic on a Friday then flew to a recreation.

Despite the fact that the Patriots took two planes to Kansas Metropolis. Despite the fact that the NFL stated there have been no “excessive danger” shut contacts for Newton on the journey. The compelled intimacy of the customer’s locker room in Kansas Metropolis, the Patriots 24-hour odyssey to play that recreation and the uncertainty about incubation durations and flying had everybody on edge.

Jason McCourty articulated it Saturday of final week when the Patriots went via their solely walkthrough of the week. A number of gamers and coaches stayed in lodge rooms offered by the staff as a result of they didn’t need to expose their households.

However after the sport was postponed to this week, the staff started stacking days with no optimistic assessments. In addition they stayed away from the ability till Wednesday and didn’t get on the apply discipline till Thursday. As time handed, it appeared much less and fewer seemingly the Patriots’ state of affairs can be just like the Titans.

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When Ferentz examined optimistic, almost two weeks had handed since Newton’s preliminary optimistic. By then, each Newton, Gilmore and Murray have been again at apply, none the more severe for put on.

In the meantime, the staff had gone above NFL protocols in closing down the ability, going digital most days and limiting contact for the reason that return from KC.

No one’s snug with it however the sense I get is that gamers are extra used to it.

One other apparent and extra sensible purpose this recreation wasn’t postponed: There’s no wiggle room. Final week, the league wolfed up each the Patriots and Broncos’ bye weeks with the reschedule. Now? There can be no place within the 17-week schedule for the sport to be performed.

So the mix of what’s possible schedule-wise and a higher sense of consolation that the instances are being sequestered (Michel, for instance, has been on injured reserve and never participating in any staff actions) and that this received’t be a repeat of what the Titans skilled meant that, this week, they play.