After being closed down and canceling Sunday’s practice session due to a plethora of questionable positive COVID-19 tests, the Cleveland Browns are back open for business as usual.
The Browns were one of several NFL teams prominently impacted by a lab testing irregularity that revealed several false positive tests. The Browns re-tested every member of the team who had a presumed positive test and all came back negative upon the second test. As a result, the Browns will be back at practice on Monday.
The team released a statement that acknowledged the false positive testing that impacted the team. Cleveland also noted that all involved will need a second negative test result on Monday before they can return to entering the team facility in Berea.
“We’ve concluded our re-testing of each initial presumptive positive result from yesterday among players, coaches and staff. All have come back as negative, which is consistent with the irregularities across the league from multiple teams. As a result, we are reopening our building and will resume football activities this afternoon. As per protocol, the individuals with test results in question may not re-enter the building until they receive another negative test result tomorrow.”
The Browns were one of several teams impacted by a rash of false positive tests from an NFL testing partner in New Jersey. As a result, the Browns canceled practice on Sunday and had the team headquarters professionally cleaned and disinfected as a precautionary measure.