CLEVELAND, Ohio – Help is on the way to the Browns’ big “do or almost die” showdown with the Steelers on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that linebacker BJ Goodson’s five high-risk close contacts are expected back on Thursday if the test remains negative. They are recipients Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, and linebacker Jacob Phillips.
Without those players and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., the Browns lost 23 to 16 to the Jets on Sunday in a game where they could have secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2002.
Goodson will have to stay out of the Steelers game as part of his minimum 10-day quarantine period for positive testing for COVID-19.
Stefanski also said he is hopeful of putting right-back Wyatt Teller back on the field on Wednesday due to a sprained ankle, and safety Ronnie Harrison (shoulder) could play this week.
During the game, three players were injured and are on a daily basis: linebackers Sione Takitaki and Tae Davis suffered knee injuries and debutant point guard Nick Harris suffered a knee injury.
Stefanski said he still has no deadline for Wills to return, who was dropped on Sunday due to illness after being removed from the COVID-19 reserve list as a close contact. Wills has tested negative so far, which means he must be eligible to play if he continues.
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