Virus hits Jets, Eagles coaches
The Cleveland Browns got their coach back on the sideline. The New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles might be without theirs this weekend.
The Buffalo Bills will be without wide receiver Cole Beasley, who has been among the NFL’s most outspoken critics of vaccinations.
Browns second-year coach Kevin Stefanski cleared COVID-19 protocols Wednesday and returned to the team after missing Monday’s 16-14 home loss to Las Vegas.
“Good to be back,” Stefanski told reporters on a Zoom call from the team’s Berea, Ohio, facility. “Obviously, working remotely is something that we all did a bunch of last year so it is definitely doable to work remotely, game plan remotely, run meetings, etc., but good to be back in person.”
Meanwhile, the Jets’ Robert Saleh and Eagles’ Nick Sirianni tested positive for the coronavirus after feeling symptoms.
If Saleh doesn’t test out of the COVID-19 protocols before Sunday, tight ends coach Ron Middleton will also serve as the head coach against Jacksonville.
“I’m not reinventing the wheel here,” Middleton said during a video call. “I’m trying to steer the ship, keep the ship steered in the right direction.”
Sirianni also tested positive after feeling symptoms. Pass game coordinator Kevin Patullo would handle coaching duties if Sirianni doesn’t clear protocols for Sunday’s game against the Giants.
“I’m feeling OK,” said Sirianni, who was on the sideline for Philadelphia’s win over Washington on Tuesday. “The rest of the week, I’ll be in every meeting, obviously virtually.”
The Jets have 17 players from the active and practice squad rosters, including injured reserve, on the COVID-19 list.
“It’s crazy,” left tackle George Fant said. “You see other teams get hit with it. I guess it’s our turn.”
Now that they’ve got their coach back, the Browns hope more players return as they get ready on a short week for a Christmas visit to the NFCleading Packers (11-3).
The Browns were rocked by the virus last week, when an outbreak led to 22 players missing the rescheduled game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield still hasn’t produced a required negative test, and his status at Green Bay is unclear.
Stefanski said players who tested positive before Dec. 15 will be eligible to play Saturday — the conclusion of their 10-day window — so long as they’re asymptomatic. That would include Mayfield and backup QB Case Keenum. Third-stringer Nick Mullens played well in his first start since last season with the 49ers.
Beasley will not play against New England on Sunday because he is unvaccinated and will have to miss 10 days after being placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list Tuesday.
In notes on his Instagram account, Beasley said he has mild symptoms. He placed the blame on the NFL’s protocols by writing: “Just to be clear, Covid is not keeping me out of this game. The rules are.”
Actually, COVID-19 is preventing him from playing because he tested positive. Under new rules, vaccinated players can return over a shorter period based on testing results.
At issue for the receiver is vaccinated players are just as likely to have the coronavirus while being allowed to play because they are only tested once a week, as opposed to unvaccinated players being tested daily. The rules also state unvaccinated players testing positive will have to spend at least 10 days in the protocol. That puts him in jeopardy of missing two games because of a lack of practice.
Buffalo has seven players on the COVID-19 list, including left tackle Dion Dawkins and right guard Jon Feliciano.
Also:
Brandin Cooks, who leads the Texans with 945 yards receiving, and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn went on the COVID-19 list; the Texans’ total is 16 players.
The Chargers put running back Austin Ekeler and receiver Jaylen Guyton on the list.
Pittsburgh placed linebackers Devin Bush and Marcus Allen and offensive tackle Zach Banner on the COVID-19 list.
The Colts placed defensive end Kemoko Turay and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin on the list, along with tight end Farrod Green of the practice squad.
Seattle tight end Will Dissly went on the list. Running back Alex Collins was activated.
Tennessee placed left guard Rodger Saffold on the COVID-19 list. He’s the third Titans player there, joining wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick and cornerback Elijah Molden.
Punter Andy Lee was put on the COVID-19 list by Arizona.
Rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle is back with the Miami Dolphins after missing Sunday’s win over the Jets while on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Briefly: The Buccaneers signed running back Le’Veon Bell after Leonard Fournette suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 9-0 loss to the Saints . ... The Browns waived punter Jamie Gillan and replaced him with Dustin Colquitt . ... Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who has 15 sacks, is dealing with a groin injury and could miss the Packers game.