The issues continue to swirl around the New England Patriots heading into the latter stages of the 2020 NFL season. The team has been recently fined a hefty sum of $350,000 for violating set COVID-19 safety protocols back in October, via NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport.
Sources: The #Patriots were fined $350K for COVID-19 protocol violations stemming from issues in October when Cam Newton & others tested positive.
The #Saints were fined $500K and docked a 7th round pick for their mask-less locker room celebration. They are repeat offenders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 29, 2020
The violations primarily came during a previous COVID-19 outbreak in the Patriots camp which saw quarterback Cam Newton and several others test positive for the virus. The 2015 NFL MVP eventually missed a handful of games to worsen the situation of an already depleted Patriots roster.
Another team in the New Orleans Saints was penalized by the league with a $500,000 fine including the nullification of their 7th round pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. They were punished for likewise violating safety protocols after a mask-less locker room celebration after their 39-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9 proceedings.
The Las Vegas Raiders were also previous violators after head coach Jon Gruden failed to wear a safety mask in their Week 3 encounter against the Patriots. He was eventually fined with $100,000 which also incurred a team penalty of $250,000.
Nearly the team's entire defensive line was also hit with the virus due to an outbreak prior to their Week 11 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The gaping holes in their roster eventually hurt the team's chances as they narrowly lost in a 35-31 defeat to the reigning Super Bowl champions.
In other related news, the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos are currently encountering several positive cases of COVID-19 which eventually jeopardized their respective matchups heading to Week 12 of the season.
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