The Cleveland Browns will not be in their practice field for the second-straight day on Thursday due to COVID-19.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, two more players have tested positive for the coronavirus causing the Browns to close their doors once again. Per the report, one of the players to test positive had previously been on the team’s Reserve/ COVID list due to contact tracing. This player has now reportedly tested positive for the virus himself.
On Wednesday, a coach and practice squad player for Cleveland turned in positive COVID-19 tests, which prompted the first facility closing in Cleveland. The Browns reopened in the afternoon, briefly, ahead of their pivotal Week 17 meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3).
On Tuesday, the Browns placed tight end Harrison Bryant and safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Practice squad offensive lineman Javon Patterson was placed on the designation on Wednesday.
The start of the Browns’ issues with COVID-19 stem from last weekend. On Saturday prior to Cleveland’s eventual loss to the New York Jets, four wide receivers, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, all landed on the Reserve/COVID list. On a positive note, these four were expected to return to practice on Thursday.
All this happens on the heels of that prior-mentioned AFC North battle with the Steelers in Cleveland’s season finale. With a win, the Browns (10-5) clinch a playoff berth.
Defensive starters Andrew Sendejo and B.J. Goodson have already been ruled out for that game due to COVID-19.
