CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns practiced for the first time this week Friday afternoon after another assistant coach tested positive and the team added and eighth player to the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Safety Jovante Moffatt was added to the virus list and he will be unavailable for Sunday night’s playoff game in Pittsburgh.
Cleveland received clearance from the NFL to reopen their facility Friday afternoon and the team worked for approximately 90 minutes inside the Casey Coleman Field House.
“After some discussion, it was agreed upon to get out there and get some work in, but again, safety being the No. 1 priority,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday afternoon. “That is what is going on right now. Over at the facility, they will have a walkthrough into practice and then get some good work in ahead of this game on Sunday.”
Because Stefanski tested positive this week, he watched the practice from home but indicated that he would not communicate electronically during the session.
“I think the players and the coaches always like to be out on the grass with the guys,” Stefanski said. “That is much better than being on these Zoom calls.”
With Stefanski watching from home, acting head coach and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer ran the session.
“It was good,” defensive end Myles Garrett said. “We needed at least a day under our belts to get everything refined and make sure we look sharp.”
Wednesday and Thursday the team had to work virtually, conducting virtual walk throughs.
“It is nothing more than putting the cards up for practice. Taking the scout team card and put it on the screen,” Stefanski said. “Alright, here is the look that you are getting. Offensive line talk through your call. Look at the coverage. What are maybe some of your adjustments that you are going to make on this route wide receiver? Alright, quarterback chime in. What is your read? Those type of things. It sounds cooler than it is.”
Before flying to Pittsburgh Saturday, the Browns will continue their preparations for Sunday night's AFC Wild Card game.
“We still have another day to prepare,” Garrett said. “Today is not the last day of a preparation for us. We will still go into walkthrough tomorrow and the day after and make sure that we know everything we need pertaining to our roles and how we can be successful.”
On Thursday safety Ronnie Harrison tested positive and was placed on Reserve/COVID-19. Practice squad linebacker Montreal meander was also placed on Practice Squad/COVID-19.
The NFL’s chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills indicated in an interview with NFL Network that for the first time they found evidence of spread within the team.
Tuesday, five tested positive including head coach Kevin Stefanski, two of his assistants, left guard Joel Bitonio and receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
Moffatt joins Bitonio, Hodge, Harrison, tight end Harrison Bryant, linebacker Malcolm Smith as well as cornerbacks Kevin Johnson and Denzel Ward on Reserve/COVID-19.
Center Javon Patterson was activated from the Practice Squad/COVID-19 list Friday leaving linebacker Montrel Meander, added this week, from the practice squad on it.
