CLEVELAND, Ohio – Browns left guard Joel Bitonio’s COVID-19 nightmare is over.
Bitonio, who lost the Browns’ 48-37 wild card victory over Steelers with COVID-19, was removed from the virus reserve list on Friday and will play in his first career knockout on Sunday in Kansas City, divisional round.
The Browns also relinquished Tedric Thompson’s security.
Bitonio, who has not missed a wink since 2016 and has made it to the playoffs during all seven seasons of his career, was the last Browns player to leave the list. In the past few weeks, more than a dozen players have been added to the list and have lost games as a result.
Bitonio’s teammates know how much the playoffs mean to him.
“A lot of respect for him,” said Jarvis Landry. “He’s always been a guy who’s always taken care of his business since I got here. He is always where he needs to be and always doing what he does.
“He’s a great role model for the guys in his office. One of the team leaders. Again, a quiet guy, but he does what he has to do and when you do that, you don’t have to say much. ”
Now, the Browns need to hope to bring Jack Conklin (hamstring) back into the game. Conklin left the Steelers game in the second quarter and did not return.
He hasn’t practiced all week. If he cannot play, Kendall Lamm will replace him.
The Browns also removed Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday, just in time to try to hold on to Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
–
Browns playoffs shirts, hats for sale: This is where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and caps celebrating the team’s qualification for the 2020 NFL playoffs.
More Browns coverage
How can the Browns solve the problems that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs created? Movie Reviews
Stefanski left the basement and returned to the Browns facility
Chubb: Hunt talked about the Chiefs game ‘as if he knew it was going to happen’
Browns vs. Chiefs: playoff prediction survey
The John Dorsey players you will see on the pitch for the Browns and Chiefs
Hodge outside the COVID-19 reserve; Conklin still idle; Harrison to play more
Browns organizes a drive-thru rally for fans on Saturday at the stadium
Steelers claypool says Browns were “overclassified” after victory
Hunt on Sammy Watkins dismissing Browns: ‘Let’s see what he thinks after the game’
Steelers part ways with OC Fichtner, 2 other coaches: NFL news summary
For Jim Donovan and Doug Dieken, the season has been fun
Don’t count the Browns in Sunday’s playoff match