CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns have an even more formidable opponent than the Steelers’ week: the COVID-19 reserve list.
They added three more players to the list on Tuesday for a total of nine: tight end Harrison Bryant, free safety Andrew Sendejo and strong safety Karl Joseph.
But everyone can be back for the Steelers win-and-in game on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, except linebacker BJ Goodson and Sendejo.
Bryant and Joseph are close contacts of someone who tested positive for the virus and may be back in time for the game, in which the Browns can guarantee a playoff spot with a win. Bryant is a close contact with someone outside the building, and Joseph is probably a close contact with someone within the organization whose test was positive.
Neither is considered a close contact for linebacker Goodson, who tested positive on Saturday and had five close contacts on the team. He will lose his second consecutive game on Sunday.
Sendejo will also not be available for the Steelers game, which means he may have tested positive for the virus based on the time period. Players who are close contacts must remain isolated for a minimum of five days from the first day of exposure, and can return on the sixth day as long as they continue with the negative test.
Players who test positive for the virus should remain isolated for at least 10 days.
The three new additions join recipients Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, and linebackers Goodson and Jacob Phillips, who were put on the list on Saturday and missed out on the 23-16 defeat on Sunday for the Jets, which cost the Browns a chance to secure a playoff spot.
The list is growing as the Browns prepare for their almost mandatory showdown against the Steelers on Sunday. If the Browns win, they win their first playoff spot since 2002, the NFL’s longest drought. If they lose, they will have to hope that the Colts lose to the Jaguars or depend on another scenario to enter.
All nine players on the list are major contributors and most are beginners. The Browns are also awaiting the return of left striker Jedrick Wills Jr., who was excluded from the 23-16 loss to the Jets on Sunday due to illness, despite the fact that he tested negative.
Of Saturday’s group, all but Goodson are close contacts at high risk and may return to Browns’ premises on Thursday if they continue with the negative test. This means that Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, Hodge and Phillips may all be at that time, and Bryant and Sendejo are likely to be eligible to return on Saturday.
Browns’ defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi acknowledged the magnitude of Goodson’s loss, who calls out defensive signals and leads the team with 91 tackles.
“It is definitely a presence,” said Ogunjobi. “BJ is our signal caller. He kind of lights the fire and calls the pieces for us. He definitely missed it yesterday. I have to talk to him today. It was just one of the things that we always have that next man mentality and guys just have to fight and find a way to do that.
“It sucks when you’re losing one of his key pieces, but he wouldn’t want us to fall just because he’s gone. We can not do that. “
He said Goodson is feeling better.
“It sucks,” said Ogunjobi. “It’s just one of those things where it’s just a difficult situation. I know where his heart is, I know where his mind is and I know that he wants to do everything in his power to help us win games. It’s just one of the things that just happens. We just have to move on once again. We love him. We will simply continue. “
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that contact with Goodson occurred in the area of the recovery pool at Browns’ facilities, which houses hot and cold water baths. The video also showed an encounter with one of these players in which the mask was not used correctly.
Coach Kevin Stefanski, who lost six major players the day before the Jets game, was tough on players about following the protocols.
“I’m not going to go into details, ” he said. “But it is something that I definitely dealt with the team and those players, and we have to learn from that. ”
Fortunately for the Browns, they can have safety Ronnie Harrison back this week from his shoulder injury, and right guard Wyatt Teller back from his high ankle sprain.
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New Browns face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Browns-themed facial covers for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a pack of 3 ($ 24.99). All NFL proceeds donated to the CDC Foundation.
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