Panthers Have Unconfirmed COVID-19 Positive Test; Will Work Virtually

The Carolina Panthers will practice virtually on Monday and Tuesday after having an unconfirmed positive test for COVID-19. 

Steven Drummond, the team's chief communications officer, released the following statement Monday morning (h/t Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network):

The Panthers announced last week that they were in the "intensive protocol" after exposure to Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson in Week 4. Davidson was placed on the COVID-19/Reserve list last week. 

Those protocols included all coaches and staff wearing masks at practices and players wearing a face shield or mask, a maximum of 10 players and five staffers in the weight room at one time, no sustained indoor player activity outside of medical or rehabilitation activities and players limited to 15 minutes in the locker room while wearing masks, among other rules.

"I think it's such a serious enough topic that I don't think we have time to get frustrated with it," head coach Matt Rhule said last Wednesday. "It's just a matter of adapting. I think that everything that happens, there's always something positive that can come out of it. So we're just trying to make the most of it and move forward."

"It's just whatever the NFL tells us to do, we do it," running back Mike Davis added. "We don't make excuses over here."

The Jacksonville Jaguars are also currently in the league's intensive COVID-19 protocol.

The Panthers moved to 3-3 on the season after Sunday's 23-16 loss against the Chicago Bears. The team could be getting back superstar running back Christian McCaffrey from a high-ankle sprain in the coming weeks, however, which would be a major boost: 

In the time being, the team will prepare for a Week 7 matchup against the 3-2 New Orleans Saints, once again undergoing the intensive protocols.