CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Center JC Tretter and cornerback Greg Newsome II were among four players the Browns activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
Kicker Chase McLaughlin and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott were also activated leaving the Browns with five players remaining on COVID lists – linebackers Tony Fields II and Elijah Lee and tackle Alex Taylor from the active roster as well as quarterback Nick Mullens and safety Tedric Thompson from the practice squad.
The activations mean the Browns will likely be at full strength for Monday night’s showdown with the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
Since December 6, the Browns had over 40 positive COVID tests among members of the active roster, practice squad members and coaches.
All Madden – Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was like many of us growing up – the late John Madden was the soundtrack to his youth, and he played Madden’s video game.
“It was just such a big part of our childhood growing up and playing with your friends,” Stefanski said. “He was ubiquitous in all of that. As a commentator, he was a lot of times doing those NFC games for FOX so growing up an Eagles fan, anytime you heard Madden and [Pat] Summerall, you knew it was a big game. Certainly, he was definitely on in the background of my life, and obviously, what he has meant to our game, I do not know if anybody has had a bigger impact on our game.”
Madden, a former Hall of Fame coach of the Raiders and broadcaster, passed away earlier this week.
Unfortunately for Stefanski, he never had the opportunity to sit down with one of the league’s all time great personalities and minds.
“He would come through a few times when he was doing games and come through the Vikings for production meetings and that type of thing, but I never had the pleasure of meeting him,” Stefanski said.
Chubb snubbed – Browns running back Nick Chubb did not make the cut of eight finalists once again for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.
The next touchdown, first down or big play that Chubb celebrates will be the first.
The finalists for this year’s award were Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Texans receiver Brandin Cooks, Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David, Dolphins defensive back Jason McCourty, Saints defensive end Jordan Cameron, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Patriots receiver Matthew Slater and Vikings receiver Adam Theilen.
Keyboard advice – Stefanski didn’t have much to say in response to a tweet during Saturday’s game from John Johnson III in which the safety tweeted in all caps “RUN THE DAMN BALL,” but it sounds like he definitely addressed it with Johnson.
“That is something I will obviously keep internal,” Stefanski said. “I am not on social media, and I would tell you the vast majority of it is just background noise.”
Manningcast guest – ESPN’s Manningcast featuring brothers Peyton and Eli Manning will broadcast Monday night’s game against the Steelers.
The two Super Bowl champions will have NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as one of their guests the Mannings’ production company announced Thursday.
Roster moves – The Browns waived defensive tackle Josiah Bronson and released kicker Chris Naggar from the practice squad Thursday.
Injury report – DNP: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (illness), S John Johnson III (hamstring), Malik Jackson (knee), CB Troy Hill (knee), RB Kareem Hunt (ankle); LIMITED: DE Myles Garrett (groin), CB Greg Newsome II (concussion), C JC Tretter (knee); FULL: Ronnie Harrison (ankle), FB Andy Janovich (shoulder), WR Jarvis Landry (knee), QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder), LB Sione Takitaki (shoulder).
Up next – Practice Friday.