Browns lose CB Ward for Steelers game after positive COVID test
CLEVELAND — The Browns are trying to shake free from COVID-19 to face the Steelers.
It hasn’t been easy. Cleveland’s issues with the virus intensified Thursday as top cornerback Denzel Ward and linebacker Malcolm Smith were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list and the team was forced to close its facility before canceling practice with the franchise’s biggest game in decades coming fast. Ward’s surprising addition — he’ll miss Sunday’s game — has further impacted preparations for Pittsburgh. If they win, the Browns (10-5) will make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and end the NFL’s longest current playoff drought.
But the Browns will now be missing their best defensive back and at least two other defensive starters. And with kickoff a few days away and the virus seemingly not under control, it’s possible Cleveland could be down even more players.
To this point, the game will go on as scheduled, according to an NFL spokesman. The league is closely monitoring the Browns’ situation and overseeing standard contact tracing.
While Ward is lost for at least this week, the Browns did get back star Jarvis Landry and three other receivers who missed last week’s game. Rookie linebacker Jacob Phillip was also activated.
After waiting several hours for permission from the league to re-open their building, the Browns announced that it would remain closed throughout New Year’s Eve for the “health and well-being of our players, coaches and staff.”
The Browns will continue to work remotely and are hoping to be back in their headquarters on Friday for practice. They’ve only practiced for an hour on the field so far this week.
Moments after they announced the continued shutdown of their offices in Berea, Ohio, the team said Ward, who recently returned after missing several games with a calf injury, was being placed on the COVID list. Not only will he miss the Steelers game, but he could also be out of Cleveland’s first-round playoff matchup — assuming the Browns get there.
On Wednesday, the Browns practiced for an hour indoors and coach Kevin Stefanski expressed confidence the team would be ready for its biggest game in years.
“We were able to bring the guys in,” he said. “Had a nice long individual period, had walkthroughs, had some team periods and had some seven on seven. It was brisk. Obviously, we were without a few guys for various reasons so at times, it was piecing it together to give a look for the offense, defense or vice versa.”
Ward must sit out Sunday — league rules require a player to miss 10 days after testing positive — along with Smith, linebacker B.J. Goodson, safety Andrew Sendejo and tight end Harrison Bryant.