The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Three players added to COVID list
Three more Browns players were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list before practice Nov. 18, but the team remains hopeful all three will be available to play against the Eagles on Nov. 22 if they continue to test negative.
Right tackle Jack Conklin, long snapper Charley Hughlett and kicker Cody Parkey were put on the reserve/COVID-19 list despite testing negative because they were identified as having high risk close contact to an outside practitioner, unaffiliated with the Browns, who did test positive.
As long as Conklin, Hughlett and Parkey continue to test negative they will be cleared to play against the Eagles in the 1 p.m. kickoff at FirstEnergy Stadium, a league source said.
All meetings Nov. 18 were conducted remotely. Practice began at 2 p.m. as scheduled without Conklin, Hughlett or Parkey participating.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield was in a similar situation earlier in the month.
Though he tested negative, Mayfield was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 8 after close contact with a staff member who did test positive.
Mayfield was forced to isolate and miss practice Nov. 9. He was cleared and returned to practice Nov. 11.
“When you’re sitting there at home, you want to be at practice and you want to be with everybody, but to me, it kind of makes you lock in a lot more mentally because you know you’re not getting the physical reps,” Mayfield said Nov. 18 on Zoom. “With the guys that are in the protocol right now, I think they’ll handle it.”
Defensive end Myles Garrett is ill and stayed home, Coach Kevin Stefanski said on a Zoom call.
“As you can imagine, you have to be careful anytime somebody is dealing with an illness,” Stefanski said. “It is 2020. I don’t think you rule out anything. Obviously, he’s not going on the COVID list. He’s sick, and we’ll make sure that that we again follow all the protocols.”
The Browns are prepared in case any of the three additions to the COVD list are unable to play against the Eagles. Kendall Lamm would star at right tackle if Conklin can’t play.
“Kendall works extremely hard,” Stefanski said. “He fits the bill of the guys that we’re looking for. He does a great job at practice, and I see him a lot because he gets a ton of reps on the scout team so he’s blocking Myles Garrett many times and (defensive end) Olivier Vernon so he gets great work during the week.
“Very conscientious person and player. He studies real hard. Should he be the guy, he’ll be ready to go.”
Linebacker Mack Wilson can sub for Hughlett as the long snapper. Matt McCrane is a kicker on the practice squad.
Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard and fullback Andy Janovich remain self-isolated after testing positive for COVID. Hubbard tested positive on Nov. 13. Janovich tested positive on Nov. 16. They must remain in isolation a minimum of 10 days.
In a related story, the NFL issued an edict all 32 teams must enter and remain in the league’s intensive COVID-19 protocol for the remainder of the season as a reaction to cases spiking around the country. That means:
• All players and coaches must have a negative test from the previous day’s testing to enter the building, in addition to regular testing.
• All meeting must be held virtually or outdoors or indoors with a pre-approved plan.
• Facemasks must be worn at all times the team is together, including practice.
• Meals must be served grab-and-go instead of in the cafeteria.
• Locker room use is discouraged except on game days.
The Browns have already been following these rules for much of November.