FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Stephon Gilmore, star cornerback for the New England Patriots and the reigning defensive player of the year, has tested positive for COVID-19. He confirmed the positive test in a tweet Wednesday afternoon
Gilmore marks the second Patriots player to test positive for the virus, after it was reported Saturday that Quarterback Cam Newton had contracted the virus.
Gilmore's expected absence will leave a big hole to be filled in the Patriots secondary, which is considered to be one of the team's major strengths. New England is scheduled to play at home against the Denver Broncos this Sunday, October 11. However, the team is then scheduled to have a bye week and is not scheduled to play again until Sunday, October 25.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Gilmore was the only New England player to test positive as a result of Tuesday's round of testing.
The announcement comes just two days after the Patriots' Monday night loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday but was moved to Monday due to Newton and Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu testing positive. The Patriots took two separate planes to Kansas City - with one dedicated to people who have been in close contact with Newton.
The Tennessee Titans are the NFL team most affected by COVID-19 thus far. ESPN's Diana Russini reported Wednesday morning that after two days of no positive tests, the Titans had two more players test positive. This puts the team's game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in jeopardy.
The Titans' game last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers was rescheduled to later in the season due to the positive tests.