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It was has become almost a daily occurrence, the Cleveland Browns closed the team’s facility on Saturday morning after another positive COVID-19 test.
This time it was a member of the coaching staff that tested positive and the team is now going through the contact tracing protocols.
We will continue virtual meetings as the facility is currently closed while contact tracing is conducted. pic.twitter.com/yGBx62dDe0
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 2, 2021
The coach who tested positive is not head coach Kevin Stefanski, according to Mary Kay Cabot at cleveland.com.
The second #Browns coach who tested positive for COVID-19 today is not Kevin Stefanski. The first was WR coach Chad O'Shea, who's set to be replaced on Sunday by Chief of Staff Callie Brownson, who works with the receivers daily https://t.co/0RQTWjpLLc
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 2, 2021
Depending on how long that takes and who else might be identified as a high-risk, close contact of the coach, the Browns could be looking at heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers having just two actual practices this week - a shortened one on Wednesday and one on Friday - after canceling practice altogether on Thursday.
Stefanski was reportedly considering holding a longer practice today to make up for the lost time, but this morning’s news may have thrown a monkey wrench into those plans.
Despite all that, Sunday’s game is currently still on as scheduled, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
As I mentioned on @gmfb Weekend just now (join us, btw): #Browns-#Steelers remains on as scheduled. If that changes, we'll let you know.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 2, 2021
It has been quite a week for the Browns, starting with Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets where the Browns played without wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, along with linebackers B.J. Goodson and Jacob Phillips, due to COVID-19 issues.
Since the game against the Jets, the Browns lost linebacker Malcolm Smith, tight end Harrison Bryant, cornerback Denzel Ward and wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea after they all tested positive for COVID-19. They, along with safety Andrew Sendejo and Goodson, will all be out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
On the bright side, if there is such a thing at the moment, Landry, Higgins, Peoples-Jones, Hodge and Phillips have all been cleared to play in Sunday’s game.