COVID knocks Browns coach out of playoff game
Two days after celebrating their return to the NFL playoffs, the Cleveland Browns were knocked flat.
COVID-19 will keep coach Kevin Stefanski and at least two players, one a Pro Bowler, out of the team’s first playoff game since the 2002 season.
The Browns announced Tuesday — 18 years to the day since their last playoff game — that Stefanski tested positive for the coronavirus, which has plagued the team in recent weeks and now is causing a major disruption as Cleveland prepares to play Pittsburgh on Sunday for the second straight week.
Just 48 hours ago, the Browns and their fans were overjoyed when the team ended the league’s longest playoff drought with a 2422 win over the Steelers, who rested quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and others to be fresh for the playoffs.
It all changed when Stefanski tested positive along with Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio, the team’s longest-tenured player, who got the game ball from Stefanski after the win over Pittsburgh.
Others testing positive were wide receiver Khadarel Hodge, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard. The Browns already had six players and three other assistants on the reserve COVID-19 list.
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach Sunday. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will assume playcalling duties.
Meanwhile, the Browns placed defensive end Olivier Vernon and guard Nick Harris on injured reserve.
Vernon tore his left Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 24-22 win over Pittsburgh and will undergo surgery. Harris, who was pressed into playing a few weeks ago when Chris Hubbard suffered a season-ending knee injury, got hurt in a Dec. 27 loss to the New York Jets.
Eagles’ Sanders rips benching of Hurts
Add Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders to the list of those disappointed in the decision to pull quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of Nate Sudfeld during their 20-14 loss to the Washington Football Team on Sunday. Hurts came out in the fourth quarter of a three-point game, and the move was perceived by many as an effort to lose the game to secure a
higher draft pick.
“If I’m being honest, nobody liked the decision. Nobody. That’s all I can say,” Sanders said during an appearance on a Philadelphia radio show. “I don’t know who was the main person behind that decision, but all I know is a lot of people on the team were confused.”
Sanders’ comments came a day
after the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that some players and coaches were angry about the move, with two defensive players having to be held back from confronting coach Doug Pederson. Center Jason Kelce and another offensive starter also approached Pederson to ask why he made the change.
Manning headlines Hall of Fame finalists
Not surprisingly, Peyton Manning was among 15 finalists announced for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2021.
Joining the record five-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion was one of the wide receivers he threw to, Reggie Wayne, a finalist for the second time. Firstyear eligible Calvin Johnson and second-time finalist Torry Holt also made the cut among receivers.
The other modern-day finalists were former Texas Tech and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas, defensive back Charles Woodson, defensive back Ronde Barber, safety Leroy Butler, safety John Lynch, defensive end Jared Allen, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, linebacker Clay Matthews and linebacker Sam Mills.
Up to five modern-day players can be chosen, along with three previously announced candidates should they get the required votes: coach Tom Flores, contributor Bill Nunn and senior Drew Pearson, the legendary former Cowboys receiver.
Inductions are scheduled for next August.