CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns will place defensive end Myles Garrett on the reserve/COVID-19 list after another player tested positive Friday the team said.
Garrett has not practiced this week after reporting symptoms of an illness. He was expected to return Friday provided he continued to test negative for the virus but that did not happen.
He will not play Sunday against the Eagles and his availability against Jacksonville is in doubt.
“He is a good player,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday. “We know that. We do not want to be without him, but we are.”
The team issued the following statement concerning another positive test by a player:
“This morning the Cleveland Browns were informed that a player has tested positive for COVID-19. Contact tracing has been conducted and the individual has self-isolated. He has not been in the facility all week and zero high-risk contacts have been identified. Our facility remains open and our practice time for today remains as scheduled. As part of the NFL-NFLPA intensive protocols, all meetings this morning will take place remotely. The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts on any appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”
Garrett, a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, leads the NFL with 9.5 sacks this season and four forced fumbles. He also has 31 tackles, including seven for loss, and 14 quarterback hits this season.
“It hurts. It’s unfortunate,” defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said. “He’s obviously been the guy who’s been leading this team, leading this defense, leading our position group week in and week out, so to not have him out there obviously hurts but it’s a next-man-up league.”
In all six of the Browns wins Garrett has made a game-changing play. They'll need someone else to step up and fill that role Sunday against Philadelphia.
According to league rules, a player who tests positive for COVID-19 can't return until at least 10 days have passed from the start of symptoms meaning Garrett may not be able to play against the Jaguars.
“I would not speculate at this point,” Stefanski said. “But I think as the days go by here we will know a little bit more.”
Being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list does not mean a player has tested positive and under the agreement between the NFL and NFLPA teams are not permitted to disclose the names of players who test positive.
Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard, fullback Andy Janovich, right tackle Jack Conklin and kicker Cody Parkey are also on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Browns are hopeful that Conklin and Parkey will be cleared Saturday to return after they landed on the list due to a high-risk close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
“We talked about this a lot this year,” Stefanski said. “It is 2020. Expect the unexpected. So, whoever is available to us I promise you, we will be ready to roll on Sunday and the guys know that.”