The NFL has fined the New England Patriots $350,000 for violating league COVID-19 protocols, WCVB's Chris Gasper has confirmed. According to an NFL league source, the violation stems from the league determining that some Patriots players didn't follow NFL mask protocols in the team's facility in Foxborough in October. The Patriots had a mini-outbreak of COVID-19 earlier this season that included positive tests for quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The team was fined for not following protocols at that time. Since that time, the team has been in complete compliance, per the source, Gasper said. ESPN reports the New Orleans Saints were fined $500,000 and stripped them of a 2021 seventh-round draft pick for similar violations. The Saints were considered repeat offenders. Sean Payton previously was docked $150,000 and the team $250,000 because the head coach failed to properly wear a face covering against the Raiders in Week 2. The more recent issue with the Saints came after a win against Tampa Bay when the team's celebrations included players not wearing masks while in close proximity to each other. The celebrations were captured on video by some players and posted to social media.The NFL took similar action against the Raiders earlier this season, when Las Vegas was fined $500,000, coach Jon Gruden was fined $150,000 and the franchise was stripped of a sixth-round pick for COVID-19 protocol violations.The NFL sent out a memo to all teams on Nov. 3 with updated COVID-19 protocols that stressed: "All players and staff must wear masks or double-layered gaiters in the locker room on gameday -- prior to the game, during halftime, and post-game."