Browns add 2 more players to crowded COVID-19 reserve list

CLEVELAND » With their biggest game in years just days away, the Cleveland Browns added two more players to their lengthy COVID-19 list.

Starting safety Andrew Sendejo and rookie tight end Harrison Bryant were placed on the list Tuesday, giving Cleveland eight players on the list. It’s not yet known if Sendejo or Bryant tested positive for the virus or if they had close contact with an infected person.

Both played in Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the New York Jets, when the Browns (10-5) were missing six players, including their top four wide receivers, due to COVID-19 protocols.

If they are positive, Sendejo and Bryant would have to sit out 10 days from the time of their test and would miss Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

Last weekend, starting linebacker B.J. Goodson tested positive and receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge along with rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips were placed on the COVID list because they were deemed high-risk close contacts to Goodson.

The players had been together in the team’s recovery pool area.

Steelers to sit Roethlisberger

PITTSBURGH » The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to let Ben Roethlisberger rest up for the playoffs.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Roethlisberger will not play when the AFC North champion Steelers (12-3) visit rival Cleveland (10-5) in the regular-season finale on Sunday.

Pittsburgh can finish no worse than third in the AFC and is out of the running for home-field advantage after defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City locked it up last weekend.