The New England Patriots canceled a practice scheduled for Wednesday after reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore tested positive for COVID-19, according to the National Football League’s website.
Gilmore, who played in the team’s game on Monday against the Kansas City Chiefs, tested positive on Tuesday and underwent additional testing to confirm the result, the website reported.
The Patriots confirmed that practice was canceled but did not elaborate.
New England’s game at Kansas City was originally scheduled to be played on Sunday but was pushed to Monday because of positive COVID-19 tests from both teams, including Patriots starting quarterback and former league MVP Cam Newton.
The Patriots are scheduled to host the Denver Broncos on Sunday in a Week Five matchup.
Last week, a game between Tennessee and the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed until Oct. 25 after a number of Titans personnel and players tested positive for COVID-19. Two more Titans players have since tested positive.
Chiefs players and personnel tested for COVID-19 were all negative on Tuesday, but results are being eagerly anticipated Wednesday following news of additional concerns in New England.
ESPN reported the Chiefs would undergo testing Wednesday before a decision is made about the team’s practice schedule.
The Las Vegas Raiders are scheduled to play at Kansas City on Sunday as part of the Week 5 schedule, but defensive tackle Maurice Hurst was placed on the reserve/COVID list on Tuesday. The Raiders were disciplined by the NFL for attending a fundraiser without masks, and tight end Darren Waller was fined $30,000.
Hurst is the fourth-highest graded defensive tackle in the NFL this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
