Stephon Gilmore of Rock Hill, South Carolina, one of the best defensive players in the entire National Football League, has tested positive for coronavirus according to Mike Reiss of ESPN on Wednesday. As a result, the New England Patriots cancelled practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
There have now been three Patriots who have tested positive for the disease. In addition to Gilmore, star quarterback Cam Newton of College Park, Georgia and practice squad defensive tackle Bill Murray of Morristown, New Jersey have also tested positive for COVID-19 according to CBS News.
The Patriots are to play the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Whether or not that game takes place at this time is questionable. New England is 2-2 and Denver is 1-3.
Gilmore, who is asymptomatic, is the reigning Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. In 2019, the cornerback led the National Football League with six interceptions and 20 pass deflections. In 16 games, Gilmore also had two pick sixes, one fumble recovery, and 53 combined tackles (44 solo tackles and nine assisted tackles). Gilmore’s touchdowns from last season came in a 43-0 win over the Miami Dolphins on September 15, and in a 34-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on December 15.
So far in 2020, Gilmore has two pass deflections, one interception for 15 yards, one forced fumble, and 11 combined tackles (10 solo tackles and one assisted tackle). Gilmore’s interception this season came in the Patriots opening game, a 21-11 win over the Miami Dolphins.
The NFL meanwhile is reportedly concerned that Gilmore hugged Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Monday following the game on the football field. The Chiefs beat the Patriots 26-10.
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