Oopsies.

The outfits are outrageously stylish, although not quite sure what style they are.

The personality is great, likely contagious in the New England Patriots locker room.

And oh the nicknames. Fabulous.

But as good a fit as he is off the field, Cam Newton can’t quite get it right on the field for the Patriots, and ironically it’s time missed off it that can be a problem.

No, he’s not injury prone, but his season turned sour last year when he was hit with COVID-19. And now Newton, who by all accounts and putting two-and-two together, is unvaccinated and that could cost him his starting job. Maybe.

He’s in a perceived battle for the starting job, with his coach, Bill Belichick, basically saying it’s his to lose. And now Mac Jones has to feel it’s his to win, because an alleged mix up in COVID protocols keeps Newton away from the team facility until Thursday.

Missing any practice time isn’t good during training camp, but missing a day of joint practices with the New York Giants prior to the final preseason game likely isn’t all that great.

Who knows how big a deal this is. But when you’re in a possible battle for your job, calling out sick (relatively speaking) is, to use an old Belichick saying, not what we’re looking for.

Who knows what the heck the deal is. Newton had to be tested every day away from the facility when he left town for a club-approved medical appointment, as he’s allegedly unvaccinated, and something evidently wasn’t done correctly so he’s got to be away the required five days. The NFL makes it clear they want everyone in uniform vaccinated, and they make it tough for those who aren’t. And now Newton may have made it tougher on himself.

For all of Newton’s problems, let’s keep in mind that Jones is still a rookie, and he hasn’t set the world on fire, but he hasn’t gotten burned, either. He reportedly had a bad day Monday but let’s see how the week goes.

It might have been a good idea regardless of all this to start Jones this Sunday against the Giants, who by all accounts will be treating this as the old third of four preseason games, the dress rehearsal.

He might see a little less vanilla than what’s been shown so far, but it still won’t be the same as what he’d see in a regular season game. Just ask Jarett Stidham, wherever he is, right? The PUP list resident Stidham showed plenty of preseason poise his rookie year but none in any of his regular season snaps over two years.

Either way, Jones has a chance to open some eyes in the next couple of days. For the next couple of days, Cam Newton can call himself “Glitter”, because all he can be is a cheerleader from afar.

Tom King may be reached @Telegraph_TomK, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com

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