BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns have reopened their facilities and are planning to conduct training on Friday afternoon, after the last round of COVID-19 tests did not yield any new positive results.
The Browns had to close their training facilities in the previous two days and canceled training on Thursday after consecutive days of positive tests.
Cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end Harrison Bryant, linebackers Malcolm Smith and BJ Goodson and safety Andrew Sendejo all tested positive last week, according to ESPN and several reports. Bryant and Sendejo were placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Tuesday, and Smith and Ward were added to it on Thursday. Goodson made the list last Saturday.
The Browns received good news on Thursday as recipients Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips were all activated off the reserve / COVID-19 list. All five players, plus Goodson, sat down during Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets while on the virus list.
Cleveland will not have Goodson, Sendejo, Smith, Bryant or Ward for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The three players who tested positive this week are now at risk of missing out on a potential playoff opening as well.
The Browns seek to secure their first playoff spot in 17 seasons with a win on Sunday.
Despite the new cases, the game at Cleveland’s FirstEnergy stadium remained on schedule, according to an NFL spokesman. The league is closely monitoring the Browns’ situation and overseeing the tracking of standard contacts. Dr Allen Sills of the NFL said there was no indication that an outbreak within the Browns organization was underway.