The New England Patriots announced on Monday that quarterback Cam Newton will be sidelined until Thursday because of a “misunderstanding” about COVID-19 tests “conducted away from NFL facilities.” Newton’s absence came after he traveled to a team-approved medical appointment that required him to leave the New England area, the Patriots said. The team said in a statement: “He received daily COVID tests, which were all negative. Due to a misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities, and as required by the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Cam will be subject to the five-day entry cadence process before returning to the facility.”

Under the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals are exempt from daily COVID-19 testing and allowed to travel if they have been vaccinated. The enforcement of the league’s protocols in Newton’s case suggests the quarterback is unvaccinated, though he has previously declined to reveal whether he is vaccinated or not. He is one of few players on the Patriots who goes on and off the field while wearing a mask, and undergoes daily COVID-19 testing, another stipulation for unvaccinated players.

The 32-year-old Newton will continue participating virtually in team activities, but he will miss practices Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

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