Browns place Myles Garrett on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns placed defensive end Myles Garrett on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday.

Garrett will miss Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Browns had earlier released a statement saying that a player had tested positive for COVID-19, but fortunately no other high-risk contacts had been identified, meaning the team might not lose any other players for Sunday.

Garrett has tested positive and is symptomatic, according to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, which means that Garrett has to remain away from the team for a minimum of 10 days from the date that he first reported symptoms to the team’s medical staff.

That date has not been revealed yet, but Garrett has been away from the team since Wednesday, when he did not come to practice after informing the Browns that he was not feeling well.

If Wednesday is the start date for Garrett’s illness, he could potentially return for Cleveland’s game against Jacksonville on November 29. Garrett will have to pass other protocols, however, including being fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications, having any other symptoms improve, and be cleared by the team’s medical staff, according to ESPN.

The loss of Garrett is a major blow to Cleveland’s defense. Garrett is leading the NFL with 9.5 sacks, while the rest of the Browns have combined for 12.5 sacks. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods is going to have to quickly find a way to pressure the quarterback in Garrett’s absence, with defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Porter Gustin in line for more playing time.

Garrett is the fifth Browns player to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list in the past week. He joins offensive lineman Chris Hubbard and fullback Andy Janovich as players who have tested positive, while right tackle Jack Conklin and kicker Cody Parkey are both on the list after being identified as high-risk close contacts of someone with the virus.