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Browns’ cornerback Denzel Ward was placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Thursday and as a result he will not be able to play against the Steelers this Sunday.
Ward may also not be available for a Wild Card playoff game. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports that Ward was placed on the reserve list due to a positive test, and not by close contact with someone who did.
If the Browns qualify for the playoffs, they can play on Saturday, January 9th or Sunday, January 10th. If it is the previous date, Ward would still be in the 10-day quarantine period required for positive tests.
Tight end Harrison Bryant and linebacker Malcolm Smith also tested positive on Thursday. Linebacker BJ Goodson and safety Andrew Sendejo are also expected to miss Sunday’s game after positive tests.
The Browns did not train on Thursday after closing their facilities due to positive tests. They are scheduled to work on Friday, although test results determine whether this will happen or not.