Browns star RB Chubb out vs. Patriots, remains on COVID list

Cleveland Browns star running back Nick Chubb will miss Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week and then not passing protocols in time to be eligible to play.

Coach Kevin Stefanski ruled out Chubb along with rookie punt returner Demetric Felton following Friday’s practice.

The Browns had held out hope that Chubb, who is third in the NFL with 721 yards despite missing two games with a calf injury, would be available to face the Patriots after testing positive on Tuesday.

However, he needed to be symptom-free and twice test negative. And the first negative test had to be no later than Friday because players must be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list by Saturday afternoon to be eligible.

SAINTS: Star New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, starting left tackle Terron Armstead and prominent defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson have been ruled out of Sunday’s game at Tennessee.

Kamara has not practiced this week after injuring his knee — but continuing to play — during a loss last Sunday to Atlanta.

Armstead also has not practiced because of knee and shoulder injuries. GardnerJohnson left last week’s game with a foot injury and was carted from the bench area to the locker room.

Kamara leads the Saints with 530 yards and three touchdowns rushing and also leads the club in catches with 32 for 310 yards and four TDs receiving.

BRONCOS: The Denver Broncos are making backup play-calling plans after offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur tested positive for the coronavirus Friday and went on the reserve/COVID-19 list along with a fourth player infected this week.

A couple of hours after coach Vic Fangio declined to say who would call the plays Sunday against Philadelphia if Shurmur can’t, the team confirmed it would be quarterbacks coach Mike Shula who would take over those duties.

Also Friday, the Broncos placed guard-center Austin Schlottmann on the reserve/COVID-19 list.