Patriots Will Play Monday Night; Cam Newton To 'Get Healthy'

The Patriots have left for Kansas City with plans for an impromptu Monday night football contest against the Chiefs after New England's morning tests all came back negative for the coronavirus. The team is scheduled to travel, play and return home all in the same day.

The last-second itinerary changes forced a mad dash to Logan Airport Monday morning. State Police provided an escort — which a police spokesman later said was paid for by the team — and briefly shut down traffic on I-93. The Patriots used two jets to fly to Missouri, a precaution to minimize possible spread.

The game was initially scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but was moved to Monday at 7:05 p.m. after it was reported a Patriots player tested positive for the coronavirus. That player ended up being star quarterback Cam Newton.

Newton on Sunday posted an Instagram message saying he'll use the time off to "get healthy and self reflect on the other AMAZING THINGS THAT I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR.”

The game between budding rivals has lost some of its luster with the absence of Newton. The Suer Bowl champion Chiefs have supplanted the Patriots as the team to beat in the AFC, but Bill Belichick and company have made life tough for Kansas City, resulting in some classics over the past few years.

Veteran backup Brian Hoyer is expected to start at quarterback for New England.