The Cleveland Browns are far from the only team in the NFL that has been dealing with COVID-19 related issues. While the NFL and NFLPA have continued to adjust their protocols, positive COVID tests have plagued the league over the past few weeks.
The Browns loss to the Las Vegas Raiders included them being without about 20 key players. The following week loss to the Green Bay Packers included a variety of players out as well and QB Baker Mayfield only able to rejoin the team the day of the game.
As of Friday morning, Cleveland only had three players from their active roster on their reserve/COVID-19 list.
Their opponent in Week 17, the Pittsburgh Steelers, just got some bad news on the COVID front themselves:
Steelers place LB Joe Schobert and DL Chris Wormley on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Those are a significant losses for the defense.
Also placed DL Daniel Archibong on the PS/Reserve COVID-19 list.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 31, 2021
Browns fans are very familiar with Schobert from his years with the team. “Joe Show” is very good in coverage and is rarely out of position in the run game. Wormley could be the bigger loss for the home team Monday night. The Steelers run defense is already poor and Wormley is one of their best players in that phase.
Depending on their vaccination status, both players could possibly test out of the COVID protocols in time for Monday’s game. It has been rare to see players testing out in less than five days so far with the new protocols.
Pittsburgh’s reserve/COVID-19 list has five other players currently on it:
- Devin Bush
- Anthony McFarland Jr.
- Zach Banner
- Isaiah Buggs
- Arthur Maulet
We will keep you informed if any key Steelers players are able to come off the list before Monday Night Football.
