Cam Newton was officially removed from the league's Covid-19 list today, clearing the way for him to start on Sunday against the Broncos.
Stephon Gilmore was not, but that's believed to be coming as soon as Thursday for the first real team practice of the week.
Newton's activation was not a surprise as we reported there was a belief that would have happened if the Patriots played on Monday. Today marked the first time players were back in the facility, and there were in staggered groupings.
With DT Byron Cowart on the Covid-19 list, the Patriots signed veteran NT Carl Davis off the practice squad of the Jaguars. He's a big dude — 6-5, 320 pounds — and started 12 games (and was Lawrence Guy's teammate) for the Ravens, which drafted him in the third round in 2015. Since '17, Davis has bounced from the Browns to the Colts, Jaguars and now Patriots.
ELSEWHERE
• Jermaine Eluemunor and James Ferentz would have both missed practice without an injury. Adam Butler (shoulder), Julian Edelman (knee), Shaq Mason (calf) and Isaiah Wynn (calf) would have been limited.
• Broncos RB Melvin Gordon was arrested on the suspicion of DUI.
• QB Drew Lock was back at practice, as was RB Phillip Lindsay.