NFL Player News

Mahomes and the Chiefs will have their matchup against the Patriots postponed after players from both sides tested positive for COVID-19. The NFL hopes to reschedule the game for Monday or Tuesday.

It's entirely possible the NFL could simply choose to make this a de-facto bye week for both the Chiefs and Patriots after Cam Newton and Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu both tested positive for COVID-19, much in the same way the league did with the Steelers/Titans, but the plan at least as of now is to have the teams play either Monday or Tuesday. That would mean the contest still constitutes as a Week 4 matchup. There is a precedent set regarding games occurring after a player tested positive as Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell was moved to the COVID-19/reserve list last week Saturday, yet the game still took place after players were thoroughly tested based on NFL guidelines.

Stidham and the Patriots will not play the Chiefs during their scheduled Sunday time, though the NFL hopes to move the game to Monday or Tuesday after players from both sides tested positive for COVID-19.

Stidham might be thrust into a pivotal role should the game eventually be played after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Cam Newton had tested positive for COVID-19. Chiefs practice squad QB Jordan Ta'amu also tested positive for COVID-19 according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, thus kicking-starting the delay. Brian Hoyer had been the only active QB besides Newton for the Patriots through the first three weeks, but it was Stidham who was projected to be the starting signal caller prior to the offseason signing of the former MVP. If this game is played Monday or Tuesday, it's not clear who will act as the starting QB as of this moment.

Hoyer and the Patriots will not play the Chiefs in their scheduled Sunday matchup and the NFL instead hopes to move the game to Monday or Tuesday after players from both sides tested positive for COVID-19.

The change comes after it was reported earlier Saturday that Cam Newton had tested positive for COVID-19 while Chiefs practice-squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu also tested positive. It's unclear as of yet who will step in during Newton's absence, but Hoyer has been the only active backup through the first three weeks with Jarrett Stidham acting as a healthy scratch. Stidham was perceived to be the favorite to start prior to the Newton offseason signing, so it's difficult to say for certain how the Patriots might operate their QB depth chart following the latest news.

Mullens will make another start Sunday against the Eagles, this time with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel in the lineup, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Mullens replaced an injured Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) last week and threw for 343 yards and a touchdown in a 36-9 win over the Giants, spreading the ball around to Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, Jordan Reed and Jerick McKinnon, among others. Reed now is on injured reserve with a knee sprain, but his absence will be more than offset by Kittle and Samuel rejoining the team. The Eagles have been mediocre defending the pass this year, ranking 10th in net yards per attempt (5.9), 23rd in DVOA and 14th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. In any case, coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear Garoppolo will retake the starting role once he's healthy, saying "that scenario doesn't exist" when he was asked if Mullens could earn the job on a more permanent basis, per David Lombardi of The Athletic.

Stafford has a Week 4 matchup against a Saints defense that will be missing three starters, including cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Janoris Jenkins (shoulder), Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

The Detroit offense, on the other hand, is in pretty good shape, with LG Joe Dahl (IR - groin) the only missing starter. Stafford had his best game of the young season in last week's 26-23 win over the Cardinals, and he's in good position for another multi-TD effort in a home matchup with the injury-marred Saints.

The injury Darnold suffered in Thursday's loss to the Broncos has been specified as an AC joint sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Rapoport adds that practicing through pain is an issue with this injury, and that issue can be solved by giving Darnold some time to heal.

Darnold was able to return to Thursday's game after getting hurt in the first half and looked decent, but it's apparent now that he was playing through significant pain. With coach Adam Gase's job potentially on the line for the 0-4 Jets, don't be surprised to see Gase try to keep Darnold on the field if at all possible. We should have a better understanding of Darnold's status when the Jets begin practicing next week, with veteran Joe Flacco waiting in the wings should Darnold need to miss any time.

Garoppolo (ankle) will not play Sunday night against the Eagles, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Garoppolo, RB Raheem Mostert (knee) and TE Jordan Reed (knee) have been ruled out, while TE George Kittle (knee), WR Deebo Samuel (foot) and RB Jerick McKinnon (ribs) have been cleared to play. With Nick Mullens set for another start under center, Garoppolo will hope to make it back for Week 5 against Miami.

Coach Adam Gase said there's a chance Darnold misses time due to the sprained right shoulder that he suffered Thursday against the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

During the course of the Jets' 37-28 loss, Darnold left the game after he was thrown down on his throwing shoulder. Backup Joe Flacco finished the drive, but Darnold returned a short time later and played the rest of the game. Still, Darnold took six sacks and 10 quarterback hits en route to 23-for-42 passing for 230 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Perhaps the lone bright spot for Darnold was a 46-yard TD run less than four minutes after the opening kickoff. Now with his status in question, Darnold's situation will be one to monitor as the Jets have a long layoff before next taking the field Sunday, Oct. 11 against the Cardinals.

Taylor (chest) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest in Tampa Bay.

Officially, Taylor will miss a third consecutive contest due to his injection mishap prior to Week 2. In his stead, rookie first-round pick Justin Herbert will continue to lead the Chargers offense.

Tagovailoa (illness) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Safid Deen of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Tagovailoa has dealt with an undisclosed illness throughout practice this week, so his 'questionable' designation doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the rookie first-round pick is expected to go Sunday. Ryan Fitzpatrick is in line to start against Seattle, and if the Dolphins have any lingering doubts about Tagovailoa's availability the team could opt to promote Reid Sinnett from the practice squad.