THE HOT CORNER

1

PRO FOOTBALL: The Cleveland Browns are reporting another positive coronavirus test for an unidentified player, continuing what has become an almost daily pattern over the past two weeks. The team closed its facility in Berea, Ohio, on Thursday for the third consecutive day to conduct tracing in order to find out if any others are considered high- risk close contacts.

2

PRO FOOTBALL: The Indianapolis Colts have placed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Deforest Buckner on the reserve/ COVID- 19 list. Buckner will not be able to play Sunday, leaving Indy without its best run stopper for a showdown with Tennessee. The teams are tied atop the AFC South. Buckner’s 24 solo tackles are tied for the second- most among NFL defensive tackles this season.

3

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Mountain West Conference called off the Colorado State- Air Force game that was set for Thursday at the Air Force Academy because of“an upward trend of COVID- 19 cases within the Colorado State football program.”

4

PRO BASEBALL: Colorado and Cincinnati swapped three pitchers in a four- player trade. The Rockies acquired right- hander Robert Stephenson and minor league outfielder Jameson Hannah from the Reds for right- handed pitchers Jeff Hoffman and Case Williams, a minor leaguer. Stephenson, 27, made 10 relief appearances for the Reds last season and 59 in 2019. In five seasons, he was 1013 with a 5.15 ERA.

5

PRO GOLF: Robin Roussel reeled off five straight birdies at the start of his back nine to shoot a 7- under 65 and take a share of the firstround lead at the European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa on Thursday. The Frenchman was tied with Adrian Meronk of Poland, who had two eagles in his opening round.