The Patriots went back to work Saturday, Oct. 17, one day after a fifth player on the team tested positive for COVID-19 and one day before their twice-postponed game against the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The New England Patriots went back to work Saturday, one day after a fifth player tested positive for COVID-19 and one day before their twice-postponed game against Denver. The Broncos had coronavirus news of their own Saturday: Running backs coach Curtis Modkins has tested positive and won’t make the trip to New England. Elsewhere, the Jacksonville Jaguars said Saturday that a practice-squad player tested positive. The Falcons had to shut their facility Thursday but reopened Friday after one nonplayer tested positive.

The Patriots canceled practice Friday and later placed center James Ferentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He became the fifth player on the team to test positive for the virus. Newton missed New England’s loss at Kansas City on Oct. 5 after his Oct. 2 positive test. Rookie defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday and a second person, who is not a player, subsequently tested positive. The Panthers have guard/center Tyler Larsen on the reserve/COVID-19 list, five days after he played against Atlanta.

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore plays during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Foxborough, Mass. – Patriots quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore returned to practice for the first time since testing positive for the coronavirus, putting both players on track to be in the lineup when New England hosts Denver on Sunday. Newton, who missed New England's loss at Kansas City after his Oct. 2 positive test, was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Gilmore was activated from the list Thursday, following his Oct. 7 positive test. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was noncommittal when asked Thursday about the likelihood of Newton and Gilmore being ready to play this weekend.

The New England Patriots have canceled practice amid reports that a third player has tested positive for the coronavirus. – The New England Patriots activated quarterback Cam Newton from the NFL's COVID-19 reserve list on Wednesday. Three Patriots remain on the COVID-19 reserve list: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, defensive tackle Byron Cowart and practice squad DT Bill Murray. New England players say they have found an ally in coach Bill Belichick amid growing local criticism of the NFL’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bill has done a good job of (saying), ‘Hey, this is forever kind of changing, it’s very fluid,’” Patriots safety Devin McCourty said.