Browns put Andy Janovich on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns placed fullback Andy Janovich on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.

The move comes a day after Janovich played 15 snaps on offensive and 11 on special teams during Cleveland’s win against the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Once the Browns learned of the positive test they shut down the team’s training facility in Berea and issued the customary statement via clevelandbrowns.com:

“This morning the Cleveland Browns were informed that a player has tested positive for COVID-19. Per our NFL-NFLPA standard protocols, the individual has immediately self-isolated and the Browns facility is closed while contact tracing is being conducted. The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts on the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”

Janovich is the second Cleveland player to recently be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, joining right guard Chris Hubbard, who was placed on the list this past Friday. If it turns out that Janovich is positive but asymptomatic, he can return to the team after two negative tests 24 hours apart.

As of Monday evening, the team was still going through its contract tracing protocols to see if anyone else is considered a high-risk close contact. If that happens, any players who fall into that category are required to quarantine until they test negative.

Hopefully the fact that Janovich is the only player to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list is a good sign that no one else will be impacted.

It is all part of life in the NFL in 2020, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi told cleveland.com:

“It’s kind of what 2020 is. It sucks but it’s just the nature of what we’re in right now. We’ve just been handling it since the start of training camp, as far as wearing our masks, following the right procedures and everything. We’re not really fazed by it, we’ve just got to continue to go through the protocols.

“... some guys are kind of frustrated about it but it’s just once again the nature of what we’ve got going on. It’s one of these things where it takes all of us. It’s a shared responsibility. It takes all of us to get it done. We’re just going to take it one day at a time, continue to roll with the punches and do what we’ve got to do.’’

The Browns will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.