CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns woke up Thursday morning looking forward to celebrating the New Year with their four best recipients – including Jarvis Landry – back on the COVID-19 reserve list and ready to prepare to defeat the Steelers on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Instead, they were forced to cancel training after three more Browns players tested positive for COVID-19, including their second best defensive player in cornerback Denzel Ward, who will not only miss the big game of ‘victory and entry’ Sunday, but you can also miss a playoff game because you must isolate yourself for at least 10 days.
If the Browns beat the Steelers and got their first playoff spot in 18 years, Ward would have to lose the game if it was Saturday, but he could play if it was Sunday. It is possible that the Browns will face Steelers number 3 in the Wildcard round at Heinz Field.
The other two players who tested positive on Thursday were linebacker Malcolm Smith and novice tight end Harrison Bryant. They must also stay out of the Steelers game and possibly a playoff game.
This makes a total of five players on the reserve list who have tested positive and are expected to lose the Steelers game, and five players who were activated from the reserve list on Thursday as close contacts and will play on Sunday. Security Karl Joseph is also still on the reserve list as a close contact and can be activated on Saturday.
* The five good points that should be left out of this game are: linebacker BJ Goodson, safety Andrew Sendejo, Smith, Bryant and Ward.
* The five players activated on Thursday and who can play were: Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, and linebacker Jacob Phillips. The five were Goodson’s close, high-risk contacts, and none of them tested positive. All six were ruled out by Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Jets, the day before the game.
* There are also two players from the training team on the reserve list at center Javon Patterson and safety Elijah Benton.
* The Browns also have an unidentified technical assistant who tested positive, but is not one of their coordinators.
The Browns ‘decision to cancel training and keep the facilities closed during the day was made in conjunction with the NFL, which is closely monitoring the Browns’ situation. The plan is to train on Friday and accelerate if there are no new positive tests in the morning.
“Friday is usually a shorter but quick workout – you’ve heard of it before, ‘Quick Friday’,” said coach Kevin Stefanski. “We will adjust accordingly. If we need extra work, we can absolutely do that. That’s where I give credit to players and coaches.
“We changed the practice with them, changed what we’re doing and added things, and they didn’t really blink. Whatever is appropriate for tomorrow and if necessary, we will do it. “
On Thursday night, the Browns-Steelers game, scheduled for 1 pm at the FirstEnergy stadium, was still going on, league spokesman Brian McCarthy told cleveland.com. That’s because, as the NFL’s medical director, Dr. Allen Sills, explained in a conference call on Wednesday, there is no evidence of transmission inside the Browns’ facilities.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who addressed the media before the blockbuster news that Ward’s test was positive, was getting the news on the sport.
“I’m really dealing with it day by day and hourly in terms of what’s going on,” said Stefanski. “We are in constant communication with the league and our medical team and discovering what we can do. Coaches, we’ve been burning cell phones – too many calls and too many Zoom calls.
“We are doing our job. We are really going to trust medical professionals a lot and follow their guidelines, and that is what we have done so far ”.
The news of the three new positive tests came on the same day that Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that three more Steelers Pro Bowlers would be out of the game along with Ben Roethlisberger: linebacker TJ Watt, defensive striker Cam Heyward and the center Maurice Pouncey. Watt leads the NFL with 15 sacks and is one of the top NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates.
“This is part of the business at this time of year, but it’s not really about them; it’s about us and our focus on our work and what we need to do, ” said offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. “This is a decision they made – we will see – but, at the same time, not very focused on who will not be there. ”
Defense coordinator Joe Woods also warned that the Browns should not consider facing Mason Rudolph instead of Big Ben a big chance.
“We definitely can’t think that way,” said Woods. “For me, it’s simple. When I was in San Francisco, we played with them the third game of the year. I think it was right after Ben got injured, and we were fighting for our lives to win that game.
“We really won in the last race. He is very capable of executing the attack. He’s been there for a long time. Everyone knows that he is capable. “
Van Pelt also predicts that the receivers will play with their hair on fire after being left out of the Jets game.
“Whenever you miss playing, it’s hard to watch, ” he said. “Especially watching on home television, it must be very difficult for these guys. Not that they never needed motivation, but maybe that will give them an extra spark ”.
In addition to the four receivers and Phillips being activated today, the Browns are bringing other players back to this game: left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is coming back from his illness, Wyatt Teller is expected back from his ankle sprain and security Ronnie Harrison is back after missing four games due to a shoulder injury.
“We will be prepared for whatever we are able to do today, tomorrow and all that,” said Stefanski. “We will be prepared. The guys are working hard on these Zoom calls to understand what is needed. We had practice [Wednesday]. Whatever it is, I trust in our preparation and the adaptability of the boys. “
The defense is being hit particularly hard in this game with Ward, Goodson, Sendejo and Smith out. The Browns also have two limited linebackers with ankle injuries sustained during the Jets game at Sione Takitaki and Tae Davis.
The Browns also have two struggling rear strikers, Kendall Lamm (illness) and Nick Harris (knee), who would have been out of training on Thursday for the second consecutive day if there had been one.
–
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.
More Browns coverage
Ward tests positive for COVID-19, will lose the Steelers game and possibly the playoff game
NFLPA President JC Tretter calls for an end to NFL off-season practices
How the Browns can take advantage of the Steelers’ defense without TJ Watt: Film Review
Browns canceled training on Thursday due to 2 positive COVID-19 tests
Mayfield was in a ‘moody mood’ and fired ‘a perfect day of practice’, says Van Pelt
Will the Browns control both sides against Pittsburgh? I have to watch the tape
Browns vs. Steelers: forecast survey for week 17
Watch our Football Insider preview program to get ready for the game
LB Smith, TE Bryant test positive, but Landry, Higgins and 3 others activated
Steelers resting Watt, Heyward and Pouncey vs. Browns