CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns closed their facility for the second straight day following more positive COVID-19 tests Thursday morning.
As that news hit, five players on the Reserve/COVID-19 have also been cleared to return after testing negative since being placed on the list Saturday.
Two players tested positive Thursday morning forcing the closure after practice squad center Javon Patterson and an unidentified assistant coach tested positive Wednesday.
One of the positive tests Thursday morning was from a player who was already isolated as a high-risk close contact of someone outside of the organization.
The Browns issued the following statement Thursday morning:
“The Cleveland Browns were informed of two additional positive COVID-19 test results among our players this morning. The Browns facility is currently closed while contact tracing is conducted to identify any high-risk close contacts. The team will continue to work remotely this morning while following the NFL-NFLPA intensive protocols as the health and safety of our team, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”
Team officials are hopeful they'll be able to reopen and practice later Thursday afternoon, as they did on Wednesday, once contact tracing has been completed.
Receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones as well as linebacker Jacob Phillips have been cleared to return from the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
The five players were placed on the list after being deemed high-risk close contact of a player that tested positive Saturday and were unable to play in Sundays 23-16 loss to the Jets.
The Browns placed linebacker B.J. Goodson on Reserve/COVID-19 Saturday morning after he tested positive for the virus.
Goodson along with safety Andrew Sendejo, who was placed on the list Tuesday, won’t play against the Steelers while safety Karl Joseph will be eligible to return from the reserve list in time to play if he continues to test negative..
Cleveland hosts Pittsburgh Sunday in the regular season finale with the Browns facing a win and in situation in their bid to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
**THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY**
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