The Patriots have been battling more than just their opponents on the field this season. Cam Newton missed a start against the defending Super Bowl champions due to a COVID diagnosis, and Stephon Gilmore received a positive test just days later.
New England’s Week 5 bout with the Denver Broncos was postponed to Week 6 due to more players testing positive for the virus. Just two days before that re-scheduled game was set to take place, the Patriots shut down their facility again due to another positive diagnosis.
The NFL seems to be steadfast on playing through the virus, and both teams will have to be ready for this Sunday afternoon match-up. If the Patriots want to celebrate a victory this weekend, these five things will have to happen.
New England’s offensive line depth must step up.
News broke Saturday that right guard Shaq Mason was being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a player with either a positive test or a player who was a close contact of a positive player. This news comes days after backup center James Ferentz was placed on the same list.
Starting center David Andrews is still on injured reserve for at least one more week following surgery to repair a broken thumb. This leaves the Patriots with very few options. One could guess that the Patriots would start Isaiah Wynn at left tackle, second-year offensive lineman Hjalte Froholdt at left guard, starting guard Joe Thuney at center, rookie Michael Onwenu at right guard, and seventh-round pick Justin Herron at right tackle.
With the Patriots’ offensive strength coming from the running game, these young players will have to play like experienced veterans if New England wants to do what they do best.