CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns have a chance to overcome all the odds of the past two weeks and overcome the 17-season playoff drought against the Steelers today at FirstEnergy Stadium.
It was another tough COVID-19 week, with Denzel Ward, Malcolm Smith and Harrison Bryant testing positive and Ward’s replacement, Kevin Johnson, being placed on the virus backup list on Saturday night as a close or positive contact.
The Browns also have three coaches on the COVID-19 reserve list: offensive line coach Bill Callahan, receiver coach Chad O’Shea and assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters.
Some pre-game notes:
1. Wyatt Teller is expected to play
In a perfect world, Teller would have been left out in this game with his sprained ankle, but it’s time to go and he’s going to play. Teller lost three games with the ankle sprain he suffered against Ravens on December 14, and he may not be 100% today.
But even 80% of the Teller is better than most guards. In addition, the Steelers will give Pro Bowlers TJ Watt and Cam Heyward a rest today, so Teller won’t have to fight them.
Left striker Jedrick Wills Jr., who missed the Jets game because of a flu-like illness other than COVID-19, is back to himself this week.
2. Myles Garrett can set the team’s dismissal record and strengthen his NFL Defensive Player of the Year case.
With Mason Rudolph starting the game and the Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey resting, Garrett could have a fantastic day. He had his best game against the Jets last week, since returning from COVID-19, and would have taken a strip-sack if the officer hadn’t reported too soon.
He is No. 6 in the NFL with 12 sacks, but he is only three years away from NFL leader Watt, who is out of the game. With a strip or two, Garrett can defend himself for the coveted NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, which he lost last season.
He also needs just 2.5 bags to reach another goal of breaking the 14 bag record for the Browns set by Reggie Camp in 1984.
Appointed captain for this game, Garrett hopes to be eliminated today and possibly achieve some individual goals on the way to helping the Browns reach the playoffs.
3. Denzel Ward may miss the playoff game
The Browns hope to have Ward back in the playoff game next weekend if they succeed, but he will end, regardless of whether the game is on Saturday or Sunday. Ward has to isolate himself for a minimum of 10 days from the time he reported the first symptoms or when his test was administered, and then he must pass cardiac screening and be released for action.
He was put on the list late Thursday afternoon, so it remains to be seen whether his positive test was applied on Wednesday or Thursday. This can make a difference, depending on whether he is symptomatic or not.
To make matters worse, his replacement, Kevin Johnson, was placed on the reserve list for COVID-19 on Saturday night. As the news got so late, Johnson could be a close contact, which means he would have a decent chance of being back for the playoff game next weekend.
But the Browns will be challenged on secondary Sunday with Ward, Johnson and Andrew Sendejo (positive for COVID-19).
4. OL coach Bill Callahan is also doubtful
The Browns are also unlikely to have Callahan in the playoffs if they can. Callahan, who was feeling good on Friday night, tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and is expected to isolate himself for 10 days. That would keep him at home during a playoff game on Saturday or Sunday. His assistant o-line coach, Scott Peters, was a close contact and will likely be available for a playoff game.
The Browns hope to have receiver coach / passing game coordinator Chad O’Shea back in the playoffs. He tested positive on Wednesday and his 10-day minimum would expire on Friday.
On Sunday, Callahan will not be available to help the Browns adjust to everything the sophisticated Steelers front offers them.
5. The NFL gave Brown good feedback
The NFL applauded the Browns for the way they handled the COVID-19 crisis over the past two weeks. The league told the Browns that most of the positive tests were beyond their control and that they are going beyond the duty to comply with the protocols.
The only errors occurred in the days leading up to the Jets game, when some players were not wearing their masks properly in the recovery pool area, where they contacted linebacker BJ Goodson. The rest of the positive aspects came from outside the facility, and the contacts were mostly contained
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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.
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