NEWARK, NJ – When the Browns were about to leave for New Jersey on Saturday for Sunday’s game against the Jets, a player tested positive and his flight was delayed while conducting contact tracking.
They will not name the player until the tracking is complete, but a source said it is not Jedrick Wills Jr., who was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday as a close contact with a person outside the facility who had a positive test.
It is expected that Wills, the overall No. 10 choice for the Browns and their initial left tackle, will be activated for the game.
The Browns also closed their premises on Saturday and are conducting meetings remotely while consulting specialist doctors and the NFL on appropriate next steps.
The 10-4 Browns are set to face the 1-13 Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday at 1pm, with the chance to secure a playoff spot with a win over New York and a defeat or draw by several AFC rivals.
The wills and training team receiver Ryan Switzer were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Thursday after coming into close contact with the same individual who was not a member of the Browns’ organization.
Wills has been negative since he was identified as a close contact and the Browns were confident he would be activated for the game.
That would be good news for the Browns, who already have a new starter on the offensive line, rookie Nick Harris, who is replacing right-guard Wyatt Teller (ankle). Teller’s replacement last week, Chris Hubbard, suffered a torn ligament in his right knee and a dislocated kneecap during Sunday’s 20-6 victory over the Giants, and was operated on late in the season on Wednesday.
The Browns are already dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on a weekly basis. Myles Garrett is still battling the persistent effects of the virus and had a coughing fit after last week’s game.
Garrett continues to do respiratory treatments and hopes to be close to himself in the playoffs if the Browns enter.
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