Browns’ Garrett on COVID-19 list
CLEVELAND — Myles Garrett, Cleveland’s dynamic star defensive end and the NFL’s leader in sacks, will miss Sunday’s game against Philadelphia after testing positive for COVID-19, dealing the Browns a major blow as they try to end an 18-year playoff drought.
“He is a good player,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday. “We know that. We do not want to be without him, but we are.”
The Browns (6-3) won’t have Garrett against the Eagles and there’s no predicting when he’ll be back. According to league rules, a player who tests positive for 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 from practice on Wednesday and Thursday because he was showing symptoms.
Stefanski said he wasn’t sure exactly when the Texas A&M product first began experiencing coronavirus symptoms. The first-year coach added he doesn’t know when Garrett will be available.
“I would not speculate at this point,” he said. “But I think as the days go by here we will know a little bit more.”
Brees put on IR; Hill may start
The Saints placed quarterback Drew Brees on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least three games with rib injuries.
Brees was unable to finish last Sunday’s game after absorbing a heavy hit on a sack attempt by San Francisco tackle Kentavius Street, who was penalized for roughing on the play. Brees was diagnosed Monday with rib fractures and a collapsed lung.
New Orleans’ other two quarterbacks are Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill, who have been splitting time working with first-team receivers
lthough multiple reports have Hill starting against Atlanta, Saints coach Sean Payton declined to publicly name a starter, but also said he had made a decision.
After Brees left last Sunday’s victory over the 49ers, Winston took most of the snaps, going 6 of 10 for 63 yards. He did not throw for a touchdown and was nearly intercepted when safety Jimmie Ward dropped a pass over the middle.
Clowney, Saffold among Titans out
Tennessee will be without starting left guard Rodger Saffold and linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who are among six Titans who were declared out for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
Saffold hurt his ankle in a loss Nov. 12 to Indianapolis. Center Ben Jones is questionable with an injured knee, and the Titans lost three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan to a torn ACL in October.
Clowney is missing his second game in three weeks.
He was scratched Nov. 8 in a win against the Bears.
Also out with injuries are wide receiver Adam Humphries in concussion protocol, cornerback Adoree Jackson (leg) and end My Cole Prightuitt and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison (ribs).
Odds and ends
Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams returned to practice and is expected to play at Indianapolis despite dealing with an ankle injury. … San Francisco waived defensive end Takkarist McKinley after he failed a physical.