BEREA, Ohio – Two days before their first playoff appearance in 18 years, the Cleveland Browns will finally practice.
The NFL authorized the team to practice Friday afternoon for the first time this week. Cleveland’s training facilities had been closed since Tuesday, after head coach Kevin Stefanski and four other people on the team tested positive for COVID-19.
Wednesday and Thursday practices were canceled as the team remotely prepared for Sunday night’s AFC wildcard game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“We’ll have to take into account the timing and the things we’ve worked on so far with having limited repetitions,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said after Thursday’s practice was canceled. “We can’t use it as an excuse. We can’t use it as something that will make it difficult for us. We just have to find a way.”
The Browns, significantly scarce, will have to find their way on Sunday. Stefanski, Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio, safety Ronnie Harrison and possibly several other key players will not be traveling to Pittsburgh due to COVID-19 protocols.
Right-wing All-Pro striker Jack Conklin missed Friday’s practice with an illness and appears questionable for Sunday’s game. Defensive end Myles Garrett (shoulder) and defensive attack Sheldon Richardson (neck) also appear to be questionable, but Stefanski said he is confident they will play against the Steelers.
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will act as head coach on Sunday, while offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call up plays for Stefanski.
All Browns players tested Thursday and Friday are negative, with only assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters, who had lost last Sunday’s game as a close high-risk contact, giving positive to COVID-19, he said. a source to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Earlier this week, Assistant Drew Petzing and defensive coach Jeff Howard tested positive for the virus. And this past Sunday against the Steelers, the Browns were without offensive line coach Bill Callahan and receiving coach Chad O’Shea, who tested positive last week.
O’Shea returns to the team on Friday, but Callahan and the other assistants who have tested positive will not train on Sunday.
Ryan Cordell will be in charge of coaching the offensive lines in Callahan’s absence, while Callie Brownson will be coaching the tight ends and Brandon Lynch will be training the defensive backs.
Instead of driving to Pittsburgh as they usually do, the Browns will fly after Saturday’s run to reduce the chances of more COVID-19 problems.
“This is a struggling team,” Van Pelt said Thursday. “This is a tough team. … I feel great to bring whoever stays in Pittsburgh. I know you’ll get it [our] better “.