BROWNS’ DEFENSE takes hit AS GARRETT TESTS POSITIVE
Myles Garrett has been slowed down just when the Browns need him most.
The dynamic star defensive end, who leads the NFL with 9½ sacks, will miss Sunday’s game against the Eagles — and maybe more — after testing positive for the coronavirus, dealing the Browns a major blow as they try to end an 18-year playoff drought.
There’s no predicting when Garrett will be back. According to league rules, a player who tests positive for the coronavirus can’t return to the team until at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms, plus at least 24 hours after symptoms have passed.
Garrett stayed home Wednesday and Thursday because he was showing symptoms. Stefanski said he wasn’t sure exactly when Garrett first began experiencing them.
Garrett posted on Instagram: “Not the news you want to hear but can’t thank y’all enough for the love. This continues to affect us all in so many ways, but we’ll get through it together. Be back soon, Dawg Pound.”
SAINTS SEEM SET ON HILL AT QB
ESPN reported the Saints will give Taysom Hill his first start at quarterback against the Falcons after they put Drew Brees on injured reserve while he recovers from fractured ribs and a collapsed lung.
Jameis Winston filled in for Brees last week when he left the game against the 49ers, but Hill reportedly took all the starter reps in practice this week. Hill has been with the Saints since 2017 and was given a twoyear, $21 million extension earlier this year.
LIONS, PANTHERS BEAT UP ON OFFENSE
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater are questionable for the game between the teams Sunday. Stafford (right thumb) was limited in practice Friday. So was Bridgewater (right knee sprain), and coach Matt Rhule said he would be a game-time decision.
Lions running back D’Andre Swift (concussion) and Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) are out.
DARNOLD’s OUTLOOK IMPROVES
Jets coach Adam Gase thinks quarterback Sam Darnold might be back as soon as next week against the Dolphins, a surprisingly positive development because Darnold was considered out indefinitely. Darnold said earlier this week that it was the right decision for him to not play Sunday against the Chargers in Los Angeles, his second straight game on the sideline.
ADAMS SHOULD BE OK TO PLAY
Packers wide receiver Davante Adams returned to practice and is expected to play Sunday at Indianapolis despite dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out Thursday.