Patriots: COVID-19 disaster is further proof the NFL is not on New England’s side
The Patriots have placed three more players in the COVID-19 list.
The New England Patriots are weathering the storm as best they can, but every week the fight against COVID-19 continues to get more and more difficult.
We’ve gone from Cam Newton to Stephon Gilmore to Bill Murray to James Ferentz to … now Sony Michel, Shaq Mason and Derek Rivers, all of whom were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday. They will miss Sunday’s game against the Broncos.
At this rate, the Patriots may have not have another game all year in which all of their starters are featured.
News story: Patriots place Shaq Mason, Derek Rivers and Sony Michel on the reserve/COVID-19 list, while promoting OL Caleb Benenoch (standard elevation), DT Nick Thurman, WR Isaiah Zuber and DE Rashod Berry from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. https://t.co/UTaVdGvFS7
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 17, 2020
And this is largely the fault of the NFL, after the league rushed the Patriots-Chiefs game and denied New England extra locker room space at Arrowhead Stadium, both of which more than likely resulted in this expanded spread.
Now, the Patriots have added three more players (two starters) to the COVID-19 list. Though it’s unclear if they actually tested positive (those place on the COVID-19 list have either tested positive or came into close contact with someone who was positive), it’s possible they miss next week too.
New England will somehow be down more guys even after having this game postponed a week. On top of that, the NFL is running out of time to shuffle games and re-work the schedule. What’s next, Roger?
The Patriots are elevating OL Caleb Benenoch from the practice squad for Sunday's game.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 17, 2020
Also, DE Rashod Berry, WR Isaiah Zuber and DT NIck Thurman are being elevated as COVID-19 replacements.
It’s funny to think about all the people out there who feel the NFL is on the Patriots’ side or that Robert Kraft has Roger Goodell in his back pocket. Just because they’ve been the best dynasty in sports doesn’t mean the NFL has been protecting them and giving them the benefit of the doubt for 20 years. Did Deflategate not teach you anything?
If that was the case, then how come the Titans had their game against the Steelers postponed and then didn’t have to play their next game until this past Tuesday, while the Pats had to play their Week 4 game that Monday despite Newton’s positive test that weekend?
All the Patriots haters can stop this discourse in its tracks. If anything, this just further proved the NFL isn’t looking out for anybody, even amid a global pandemic.
