CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns All Pro right tackle Jack Conklin did not practice Friday and he is questionable for Sunday’s game with an unknown illness.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to say if Conklin was held back as a COVID-19 symptom-related precaution.
“We will just follow the protocols,” Stefanski said. “In this day and age you have an illness, and you have to be safe with that, but we will just make sure we follow the protocols.”
It is expected that if Conklin continues to test negative, he will be able to play Sunday night.
If Conklin is unable to play, Kendall Lamm would likely replace him meaning Cleveland would be without two of their five starting offensive linemen for the first playoff game in 18 yards.
Michael Dunn is expected to step in for All Pro guard Joel Bitonio, who was placed on Reserve/COVID-19 earlier this week.
The statuses of cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end Harrison Bryant and linebacker Malcolm Smith, placed on Reserve/COVID-19 last week and as of Friday night remain on the list, are unknown.
“I do not have any updates on those guys,” Stefanski said.
“I will just let the protocols be what they are. When you are on the list, you are on. When you are off, you are off.”
Gameday Adjustments – Pass game coordinator/wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea returned to work Friday but following another positive test by an assistant coach, Stefanski outlined staff changes for Sunday night.
Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach and Alex Van Pelt will call plays. We knew that on Tuesday.
Stefanski announced other adjustments to his staff: coaching assistant Ryan Cordell will coach the offensive line in place of Bill Callahan, chief of staff Callie Brownson continues to sub for tight ends coach Drew Petzing and assistant defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch will handle pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Jeff Howard’s duties.
“I have talked to those guys and we will continue to talk over the next 48 hours,” Stefanski said. “We have had 16 games to kind of establish the way we do things. This entire coaching staff has been a huge part of that and the way we operate, the way we call the game and those types of things. I do not see there being a huge deviation to what we have done the last 16 games because it is truly a collaborative group effort.”
Cleared – Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones cleared the NFL’s concussion protocols and practiced Friday, easing the burden on the receiver depth for Sunday night.
Quick Hop – The Browns traditionally bus to Pittsburgh but due to COVID-19 issues will fly Saturday afternoon.
“I would just tell you any of those type of decisions lean heavily on the medical staff and experts,” Stefanski said.
Injury report – QUESTIONABLE: RT Jack Conklin (knee), DE Myles Garrett (shoulder), CB Terrance Mitchell (not injury related), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (concussion), DT Sheldon Richardson (neck), CB M.J.
Steward (calf), LG Wyatt Teller (ankle)
EXPECTED TO PLAY: C JC Tretter (knee), OT Kendall Lamm (illness), WR Jarvis Landry (hip), CB Tavierre Thomas (abdomen)