As the Browns prepare for their first postseason game since the end of the 2002 season, it would appear that their coaching staff might have several important absences — including head coach and primary offensive play-designer Kevin Stefanski.
We were informed this morning that Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, two additional members of the coaching staff and two players have tested positive for COVID-19.
Our contingency planning calls for Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer to serve as the acting Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/Mhh9Zt1e4d
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 5, 2021
During his time with the Vikings, Preifer was once suspended for making homophobic comments.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns also have a defensive backs coach, a tight ends coach, a receiver, and an offensive lineman dealing with positive tests. If those tests aren’t followed by negative tests, there’s no way any of those coaches or players would be available for Cleveland’s Sunday night wild-card game against the Steelers.
In Week 16, the Browns lost their top four receivers — Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge — to COVID issues, and in Week 17 against Pittsburgh, several more players were similarly affected.
The last time the Browns had a playoff game, they lost to the Steelers, 36-33, on January 5, 2003.