NEWARK, NJ – Browns holder of linebacker BJ Goodson, the inspirational leader of the defense, will not be on the field on Sunday against the Jets to help the team potentially secure their first playoff spot in 18 years.
He also won’t be on the pitch for the end of the season against the Steeleres, which could be a chance for the Browns to win AFC North and their first division title since 1989.
Goodson, who leads the Browns with a record 91 career tackles and is tied for first with two interceptions, tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and will be out for the final two games of the season against the Jets and Steelers.
Players who test positive for the virus should stay away from the team for a minimum of 10 days, regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not.
The Browns were in the process of tracking contacts on Saturday afternoon, and their flight to New Jersey for Sunday’s game against the Jets was delayed. Their facilities were also closed and they held meetings at home pending news about contact tracking.
Goodson will be replaced by Tae Davis, Malcolm Smith or Mack Wilson, who was sent off last week because of a coach decision. It’s a chance for Wilson to redeem himself from a subpar game and everything else that earned him a trip to the bank last week.
“BJ does a good job, ” Stefanski said on December 7, the day after Goodson helped the Browns to beat the Titans 41-35. “He is definitely the emotional leader of the defense. You hear it before you see it. He gathers the guys in training and during games. He’s making great plays in these ball games to help us win. ”
On a brighter note for the Browns, left player Jedrick Wills Jr.’s excellent debut season will continue uninterrupted.
Wills was removed from the COVID-19 reserve list on Saturday and is ready to face the 1-13 Jets.
The Browns also elevated the team’s Javon Patterson center as a replacement for the COVID-19.
It is an important game for 10-4 Browns, who can secure their first playoff spot in 18 years with the help of their AFC rivals. A victory for the Browns and a defeat or draw for the Ravens, Dolphins or Colts put them on the list for the first time since 2002.
Wills was placed on the COVID-19 list on Thursday as a close contact with a person outside the Browns organization who tested positive for the virus. The person was not associated with the Wills charity event on Tuesday, in which he donated $ 50,000 in gifts and money to six families in need, in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland Urban League.
If Wills had not been activated, the sixth-year tackle Kendall Lamm would have started instead. But the Browns were confident all the time that Wills would make his 15th start to the season because he is testing negative for the virus.
Landry: Browns fans ‘deserve success and a promising future’
“[Wills] played well in the last game, ” said coach Kevin Stefanski on Thursday. “He keeps improving. He’s a young player. You see with the young players that there are some great moments and some moments that he wants to improve. The good news is that he wants to improve and works a lot with (offensive line) coach (Bill) Callahan before, during and after training. “
Left guard Joel Bitonio was surprised and discouraged Thursday to learn that Wills was on the list.
“This is a big problem,” he said. “Talk about a newcomer coming in, starting every game and just concentrating. It was perfect? No, but the way he competes and some of the things he did in the pass pro … many of the things he did were on an island one by one. It was impressive.
“We have a good relationship now. Me, him and JC (Tretter) are kind of working together on the left side, and you get used to a guy like that playing well. Obviously, he is a big part of our attack and a big part of the reason why we started to turn the corner here. “
Wills is 14th in the NFL in blockade, according to profootballfocus.com
“He’s getting better with every game,” said receiver Jarvis Landry. “He’s one of the guys who’s been holding the left side of the line all season. We will definitely need it. “‘
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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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