CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns have been here before.
Like it did last season down the stretch, COVID has taken out a chunk of their roster.
After placing a total of eight players on reserve COVID-19 lists Tuesday, there’s concern more positive tests could follow this week as the Browns prepare for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“I think there is some worry until we get a few days of test results,” left guard Joel Bitonio said Tuesday evening following the team’s walk through. “When you are only testing once a week, things can come up and they kind of spread, especially if you are not showing symptoms.”
Without openly campaigning for daily testing to resume leaguewide, Bitonio just made the case for it – asymptomatic players could spread the virus for days before testing positive for it.
On Monday 36 players leaguewide landed on COVID lists. Tuesday 24 more players, including the Browns, were added.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported 75 players leaguewide tested positive in the last two days.
In Berea, the mood of what was supposed to be a normal day of short week preparation quickly turned into one of concern.
“This morning, we were coming in to get like a normal Wednesday day in so guys were in there to rehab and lift, and they were kind of picking guys off one at a time so it was a little unfortunate,” Bitonio said. “We kind of realized it was going to be more than one or two guys. Everybody got sent home so it was more of like, ‘Man, what is going to happen?’ Obviously, we are not excited that guys are testing positive for COVID so there was definitely some uneasiness.
“You never expect the NFL to have this virus and these things so it is something new for everybody over the last couple of years, but we really just try to take it one day at a time and focus on what we can control.”
The Browns have begun daily testing as part of the NFL’s enhanced protocols in addition to the resumption of virtual meetings and mandatory masking indoors. While the team can’t limit players’ activities outside of the facility, the Browns are mindful of the risks of being out and about in the community, especially around the holidays.
“Coach Stefanski did mention to us today about let’s be safe out there and let’s make sure we are doing all of the right things and trying to make those right decisions when we are out and about,” Bitonio said.
The positive tests hit the Browns hard at key offensive positions – receiver Jarvis Landry, right guard Wyatt Teller, left tackle Jedrick Wills, backup guard Drew Forbes and tight end Austin Hooper plus defensive end Takkarist McKinley also tested positive.
The six are likely out for this week’s critical game with the Raiders barring being asymptomatic with two negative tests 24 hours apart before Friday afternoon.
The 7-6 Browns are second in the AFC North, one game behind the first-place Ravens, and No. 8 in the AFC Wild card race. Las Vegas is 6-7.
Because of the conference tie breaker that could come into play, the Browns must win or see their chances to make the playoffs for a second straight year damaged significantly.
“There was no rah-rah speech from the players,” Bitonio said. “No one outside of this building is going to feel sorry for us. We have to play the game. We are going to have guys out there ready to play, and that is our mission.
“We have been there before, and I know we have the right man leading us through this.”
