Browns coach tests positive, will miss game
Amid a celebration in the locker room after the Cleveland Browns ended the NFL’s longest playoff active drought, coach Kevin Stefanski asked for a game ball and told Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio to step forward.
Bitonio had survived seven long seasons, 0- 16 in 2017, the Johnny Manziel era and many coaching changes.
“You’re going to the playoffs, 75,” Stefanski told him.
Two days later, nothing is certain with the Browns.
Positive coronavirus tests have knocked Stefanski, Bitonio, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and at least two assistants out of their wild- card game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.
The Browns announced Tuesday — 18 years to the day since their last playoff game — that Stefanski tested positive for the virus, which has plagued the team.
Now, after beating the Steelers last Sunday to make the playoff f ield, the Browns are implementing contingency plans drawn up when the pandemic began.
Stefanski can coach only from home this week. He’ll be replaced by special teams coordinator Mike Priefer, and the Browns will have to make other adjustments as tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard are also out. Coordinator Alex Van Pelt will handle play- calling.
And it’s still possible the Browns will lose other players after contact tracing is completed.
The Steelers have their own coronavirus issues. Starting cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Eric Ebron missed Sunday’s loss. Haden tested positive; his status for the playoff game remains uncertain.
Finalists for Hall
Peyton Manning is among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021.
Joining him as a f inalist was one of the Indianapolis Colts receivers he threw to, Reggie Wayne. Detroit legend Calvin Johnson and former Ram Torry Holt are the other receivers.
Other finalists: defensive backs John Lynch, Charles Woodson, Ronde Barber and LeRoy Butler; defensive linemen Jared Allen and Richard Seymour; linebackers Zach Thomas, Sam Mills and Clay Matthews; and offensive linemen Tony Boselli and Alan Faneca.
Voting will be later this month, with the inductees announced during Super Bowl week. A maximum of five modern- day players can be chosen, along with three previously announced candidates should they get the required votes: former Raiders coach Tom Flores, contributor Bill Nunn and senior Drew Pearson.
Inductions are scheduled for August, when the 2020 class and a special centennial class also will be enshrined.
Etc.
About 6,700 fans will be allowed to attend Buffalo’s wild- card playoff game Saturday. Proof of a negative coronavirus test will be required. ... Atlanta backup quarterback Matt Schaub, 39, is retiring.