CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns placed offensive tackle James Hudson III on the reserve/COVID-19 list and activated defensive end Takkarist McKinley from it Saturday.
Hudson had been filling in for All Pro right tackle Jack Conklin, who was placed on injured reserve after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon November 28.
“Got that news this morning so we were able to kind of work through those contingencies and practice as such,” Stefanski said. “I am not going to get into the specific movements that you have to make with that, but our coaches have done a great job throughout this as more information becomes available.
“The players have been really outstanding in how flexible they are and understanding that whatever their job is they have to do it with as much preparation as they have.”
They also got good news from the league office Saturday afternoon.
The Browns are Raiders will have until 2 p.m. Monday to make roster moves prior to the game, buying Cleveland an additional 22 hours to potentially get players back in time.
“As you can imagine, things are very fluid,” Stefanski said. “We will see how it goes in terms of guys going not the list, but in terms of guys who are coming back, we do not know. There is uncertainty there.
“If guys make it back, great. If they do not, that is fine, too. We have that mentality, as you know, where it is next man up and love to see guys come back, but definitely not something that we are counting on, so to speak.”
Saturday marked the fifth consecutive day that the Browns have had at least one positive test and they are currently down 19 players on the active roster plus three more from the practice squad and three coaches, including Stefanski.
There is a chance Stefanski could be permitted to coach Monday.
“If they tell me I am good to go, I will be back,” Stefanski said. “Again, it is very similar with all of this. We are just kind of playing it minute by minute.”
Cleveland’s roster has been decimated by COVID this week prompting the NFL to postpone their home game against the Raiders to Monday at 5 p.m.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Browns are now down three of their five starting offensive linemen – left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., right guard Wyatt Teller and Hudson; quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum; tight end Austin Hooper and running back Kareem Hunt.
The defense is also in shambles.
Defensive tackle Malik McDowell; safeties Ronnie Harrison Jr., John Johnson III and Grant Delpit; defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo; cornerbacks Troy Hill and A.J. Green as well as linebackers Mack Wilson Sr., Jacob Phillips and Tony Fields II are unavailable at the moment.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney hasn’t been placed on the list yet but a league source said he is likely headed there.
