The Browns will need all the help they can get against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, so cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson are coming back just in time.
The Browns announced they activated Ward and Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
Offensive line coach Bill Callahan also returned to Browns headquarters Wednesday, coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Zoom.
Ward, Johnson and Callahan missed the past two games after testing positive for the virus.
Stefanski said he remains on track to be back with the Browns in person Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19 last week and missing Sunday night's 48-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card playoff game at Heinz Field.
The Browns (12-5) earned the right to advance to a matchup with Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (14-2) in a divisional-round game at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Ward and Johnson practiced Wednesday afternoon.
"We need to monitor all those guys that are coming off that list," Stefanski said. "So we'll be mindful of how they look. We'll talk to them, get some feedback from them and then work that really day by day and understand where each one of those guys are."
Two Browns players remain on the COVID-19 list who will be eligible to return as early as Thursday: three-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
The Browns were without Ward, Johnson, Bitonio, Hodge, Stefanski, Callahan and three other assistant coaches Sunday when they earned their first playoff win since Jan. 1, 1995.
Ward is the Browns' best defensive back, and Johnson is their primary nickelback.
"We're looking forward to getting a full complement of guys," Stefanski said. "Anytime you get good players back whether it be injury or COVID list, it's always a big boost for your entire team."
Despite missing three games with a strained calf and the regular-season finale with COVID-19, Ward finished the regular season tied for second in the NFL with 18 passes defensed. He also tied for first among Browns players with two interceptions and tallied 46 tackles and a forced fumble.
"Denzel's very, very competitive," Stefanski said. "I've been very impressed to watch him work going all the way back to training camp when I finally got to meet him in person and just watch how he works. Little injuries, little nicks and bruises, he pushed through all those and kept practicing and kept competing at a high level. I think you've seen in the games where he's made impactful plays when he's out there. So that's something that is very impressive to me."
Mahomes has NFL Most Valuable Player and Super Bowl MVP awards under his belt. He also has six-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce and five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill headlining his list of impressive weapons.
"They're a great team — offense, defense, special teams," Stefanski said. "They're the Super Bowl champs for a reason. So we have to play our best football."
