Newton, Gilmore return to Patriots practice

The Patriots had their two best players back on Thursday.

The team’s first practice of the week coincided with the return of quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Both players were taken off the NFL’s COVID-19/Reserve list after having tested positive for the illness. The Patriots now can prepare for the Denver Broncos with their leaders on offense and defense.

Newton and Gilmore weren’t the only players to return as practice squad [...]

The Patriots had their two best players back on Thursday.

The team’s first practice of the week coincided with the return of quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Both players were taken off the NFL’s COVID-19/Reserve list after having tested positive for the illness. The Patriots now can prepare for the Denver Broncos with their leaders on offense and defense.

Newton and Gilmore weren’t the only players to return as practice squad defensive tackle Bill Murray also came off the COVID/Reserve list. The Patriots now have one player on that reserve list — defensive tackle Byron Cowart. Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise Jr. also missed practice Thursday. He was listed as "did not participate" on Wednesday’s practice report, which stated that his absence was not injury-related

Newton tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct 2. The quarterback wasn’t able to string two negative results together in a two-day period. That’s why he had to wait the 10-day period to return. Gilmore, however, tested positive on Oct. 6. Since he returned sooner than 10 days, that means he was able to string together back-to-back negative test results and get medical clearance from team and NFL medical officials.

Before Thursday, the Patriots had not run a full practice since Newton tested positive.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ