NFL News: Cam Newton Eager To Get Back To Winning Form After COVID-19 Experience

KEY POINTS

Cam Newton knows he needs to work hard to get back into great shape
Newton rues the effects of his COVID-19 experience
Newton hopes for a much better outing against the Niners on Sunday

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton is finally back in action after testing positive for COVID-19. However, work needs to be done from his end.

His team lost to the Denver Broncos, 12-18, on Sunday that pushed New England to under .500 for the first time since 2002.

Regardless of their predicament, the former NFL MVP remains optimistic that they can turn things around, per ESPN.

It was announced on Oct. 2 that Newton contracted the virus, forcing him to isolate. That also excluded him from their game against the Kansas City Chiefs along with teammate Stephen Gilmore, according to USA Today.

“Here I am, I get prepared for something, and then I find out the day before (the Chiefs game) that I’m not going to go,” Newton said. “I was thinking as optimistic as could be. I was like, ‘Man, it’s a false positive.’ Then it ended up being true.”

Newton and Gilmore were not the only players who tested positive for the coronavirus. Bill Murray and Byron Cowart were other players who were forced to be placed on the "COVID-19" reserve list.

More players were added to that list last week, including James Ferentz, Sony Michel, Derek Rivers and Shaq Mason.

It came as no surprise that Newton would struggle against the Broncos. He was 17-of-25 for 157 yards with two interceptions in the loss. The 31-year-old quarterback’s timing was understandably off with him holding on to the ball too long at times. He got sacked four times in that game as well.

"I just have to be better, and I can't stress that enough moving forward. The anticipation was off. I think that was the biggest discrepancy in not having practice," Newton said in an interview with sports radio WEEI.

Newton knows that work needs to be done and believes the Pats have the manpower needed to score wins.

After a dismal showing against the Broncos, Newton is now preparing for their match-up against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

"In talking about the whole big picture, I think we will be fine. We just have to do better when given the opportunity," he ended.