BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns have reopened their facilities and are scheduled to train on Friday afternoon after the last round of COVID-19 testing did not produce any new positive results.
The Browns had to close their facilities the previous two days and canceled practice on Thursday after consecutive days of positive testing.
Star cornerback Denzel Ward, quarterback Harrison Bryant, defenders Malcolm Smith and BJ Goodson and safety Andrew Sendejo all tested positive last week, according to ESPN and several reports. Bryant and Sendejo were on the reserve list / COVID-19 on Tuesday, and Smith and Ward were added on Thursday. Goodson entered the list last Saturday.
The Browns received good news Thursday as receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and defender Jacob Phillips were activated off the reserve list / COVID-19. The five players, plus Goodson, were seated during Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets while on the virus list.
Cleveland will not have Goodson, Sendejo, Smith, Bryant or Ward for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The three players who tested positive this week are now in danger of losing a possible playoff opener as well.
The Browns want to get their first playoff spot in 17 seasons with a win Sunday.
Despite the new cases, the game at Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium has been held on schedule, according to an NFL spokesman. The league closely monitors the Browns ’situation and oversees standard contact tracking. NFL Dr. Allen Sills has said there was no indication that an outbreak was underway within the Browns organization.