The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Gustin added to COVID list, team closes facility
The team had to temporarily close their Berea training site because the defensive end tested positive.
The Browns’ defense is in survival mode.
The Browns had to temporarily close their facility in Berea on Nov. 26 because defensive end Porter Gustin tested positive for COVID-19. Gustin has to quarantine and will not play against the Jaguars on Nov. 29 in Jacksonville.
It was the third straight day a positive test forced the Browns to close the training complex at 76 Lou Groza Boulevard in Berea. Defensive end Joe Jackson tested positive Nov. 24. Starting linebacker Sione Takitaki tested positive Nov. 25.
With all the COVID hits on the defensive side of the ball, in addition to meeting remotely, as players and coaches have done through much pf the pandemic, the defensive players also practiced virtually Nov. 26, just as they did in the weeks prior to training camp. At that time, the players were working to be ready to hit the ground running when camp began, but now they are practicing virtually trying to get ready for a game three days later.
The Browns issued their Nov. 26 injury report with the disclaimer it was only an “estimate” for the defensive players because they were not on the practice fields in Berea.
Defensive end Myles Garrett and fullback Andy Janovich will miss the game in Jacksonville because they are still in quarantine recovering from the coronavirus. Both players missed the game against the Eagles on Nov. 22 with COVID.
The Browns did get some good news on the COVID front: Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, who tested positive Nov. 13, was activated from the COVID list Nov. 26.
“The Cleveland Browns were informed this morning that a player has tested positive for COVID-19,” the team said Nov. 26 in a statement. “The facility is currently closed and meetings will take place remotely while contact tracing is conducted to identify any
high-risk close contacts.
“The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts on the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”
T he Brow ns went through the same process after Takitaki tested positive. The facility reopened, but offensive and defensive players practiced separately. Eight players were withheld from the sessions because contact tracing on them wasn’t completed before practice began.
The hope is the offense and defense can practice together Nov. 27 in Berea. If not, the units will practice separately again and if need be the defense will practice virtually for a second straight day. The Browns are determined to contain the spread of COVID.
“We’ve talked about it all
the time,” Coach Kevin Stefanski said Nov. 25. “When we’re in the building, we’re very safe. When we’re out of the building, you have to be safe. When you leave our bubble, obviously, you have to make great decisions, and I think the guys understand that.”
Stefanski was unavailable for comment Nov. 26 because of Thanksgiving.
The Browns did a good job dodging the COVID bullet the first two months of the season until Hubbard tested positive two weeks ago. Since then the Browns have had five more positive tests — Garrett, Janovich, Jackson, Takitaki and now Gustin.
Practice has been disrupted so of ten as the Browns navigate the pandemic there is really no normal routine for players.
“It’s been going on for the whole year of having
to make time to come in later or having to change the practice schedule up,” running back Nick Chubb said. “I think we’re all used to it , and we understand what’s going on can’t be controlled.”
Regarding the Nov. 26 injury report, in addition to the COVID cases, safeties Sheldrick Redwine (knee) and Andrew Sendajo (groin) were listed as did not practice. Safety Jovante Moffatt and left tackle Jedrick Wills missed practice with an illness for the second straight day. Cornerback Denzel Ward is out indefinitely with a calf injury and did not practice.
The Browns (7-3) will try to stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race when they meet the 1-9 Jaguars in Jacksonville. The Browns are currently seeded sixth. Seven teams from each conference make the playoffs this year.