When news broke late Saturday morning that Patriots quarterback Cam Newton had tested positive for COVID-19, putting New England’s Week 4 match-up against the Chiefs in serious jeopardy, I had the same sinking feeling I did in March when one league and sport after another closed up shop due to the growing Coronavirus crisis that had suddenly enveloped the United States like Casey Hampton used to envelope running backs (and snacks).
Coming on the heels of the Steelers Week 4 game against Tennessee being postponed until October 25 due to a seemingly endless number of Titans’ players and staff testing positive for the virus (the total was up to 20 at last count), it felt like the NFL was doomed.