99 Byron Cowart DT

Cowart (back) is active for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers.

A back injury held Cowart out last Sunday against the Cardinals after he missed his first contest of 2020 while residing on the reserve/COVID-19 list between Oct. 11 and Oct. 21. He's started all nine games that he's appeared in this season, collecting a total of 23 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Cowart (back) is inactive for Sunday's game against Arizona.

The 24-year-old will be sidelined for at least one game due to the back injury. Isaiah Mack should have an increased role on the defensive line in Cowart's absence.

The Patriots activated Cowart from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Jim McBride of The Boston Globe reports.

Cowart tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 11, but, as evidenced by this news, he's turned in two negative test results 24 hours apart. The Maryland product has supplied eight tackles (three solo) in four games this season, so he'll likely assume his usual rotational role across the Patriot defensive line for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Cowart tested positive for COVID-19 late Saturday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports. The Patriots will place him on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Cowart becomes the third Patriots player to test positive for COVID-19 in just over a week, joining quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. His positive test resulted in New England shutting down its facility Sunday for the third time in 10 days, with the NFL subsequently postponing the Patriots' game Monday against the Broncos until Sunday, Oct. 18. Cowart could gain clearance to play Week 6, but he'll first need to submit two negative COVID-19 test results at least 24 hours apart.

Cowart is not listed on the Patriots' injury report Tuesday.

Cowart has cleared the league's concussion protocol and put in a full practice Tuesday. He should return to provide depth along the Patriots' defensive line.

Cowart (concussion) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

The rookie fifth-rounder has been prone to healthy scratches this year, suiting up in four games and notching two tackles. Cowart works mainly as depth, so his absence from the lineup shouldn't shake up the Patriots' defensive dynamic.

Cowart remains in concussion protocol and is considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Cowart has missed the last two games due to a concussion and is in danger of missing a third. He was able to practice in limited fashion all week, so he is trending in a positive direction. His final status will be determined closer to kickoff.

Cowart (head) will not play in Sunday's contest against the Chiefs.

Cowart's absence will mark his second straight due to a head injury. He was unable to practice all week, so this decision is relatively unsurprising. A return to practice next week would be the first step in a potential return for the team's Week 15 matchup with the Bengals.

Cowart has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans due to a head injury.

It is unclear when Cowart obtained the injury, as he was not on the Patriots' injury report prior to this news. His absence does not figure to have an impact on the team's defense, as he primarily just provides depth at nose tackle.

Cowart (quadriceps) is participating in Wednesday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

After missing a number of practices, Cowart appears to have fully recovered from his quadriceps issue. The rookie fifth-round pick will now resume competing for a depth role on the Patriots' defensive line.

Cowart did not practice Monday due to a quadriceps injury, Kevin Duffy of the Boston Herald reports.

Cowart has now missed two consecutive training camp practices. The rookie fifth-round pick is competing for a depth role on New England's defensive line and will work to get healthy as soon as possible and resume practicing with teammates.

The Patriots selected Cowart in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 159th overall.

Cowart is a former blue chip recruit who for whatever reason just could not earn playing time at Auburn in three seasons. He transferred to Maryland for the 2018 season and did reasonably well for himself, however, earning a starting role at defensive tackle. At 6-foot-3, 298 pounds he clearly projects as a defensive tackle in the NFL, and his combine results even hinted at some linear explosiveness to harness (30-inch vertical, 111-inch broad jump). He's unlikely to emerge as an IDP factor, however.