Tag: COVID-19 reserve list

Reports indicate the NFL is considering postponement of Browns-Raiders game due to COVID-19

Reports indicate the NFL is considering the postponement of Browns-Raiders game due to COVID-19

Faced with a massive outbreak of COVID-19 that has decimated the Cleveland Browns roster, there are now several reports indicating that the NFL is discussing postponement of Saturday’s game in Cleveland against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The reports come on the heels of several more Browns players testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, including EDGE Jadeveon Clowney and LB Mack Wilson.

Dan Graziano of ESPN and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network are among several reporting that the NFL is pondering postponement due to the COVID-19 outbreak. As Pelissero notes, the games involving the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Football team — each of whom has over 20 players on their COVID-19 reserve lists — could also be delayed.

We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments.

Browns long snapper Charley Hughlett placed on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Browns placed long snapper Charley Hughlett and practice squad RB Johnny Stanton on the reserve/COVID-19 list

Even at the start of a much-needed bye week, the Cleveland Browns continue to take hits to the roster. On Monday, the Browns placed long snapper Charley Hughlett on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Practice squad running back Johnny Stanton was also placed on that unit’s version of the COVID-19 list as well.

Per the NFL’s transaction wire, Hughlett did test positive for COVID-19. His vaccination status is unknown. The same is true of Stanton, who has also spent some time on the active roster this year.

With the Browns on a bye, Hughlett’s positive test has the potential to not impact the team. The veteran has been the team’s exclusive long snapper since the start of the 2015 season.

Nick Chubb activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, expected to play vs. Lions

Chubb missed the Week 10 drubbing in New England after testing positive for COVID

Good news on the Browns health front! Running back Nick Chubb has been activated by the team from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday morning.

Chubb is expected to play Sunday when the Browns host the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium. He missed the ugly Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots. Despite missing the game, Chubb remains among the league’s rushing leaders with 720 yards and a league-best 6.0 yards per carry figure.

With the activation, reserve D’Ernest Johnson returns to the backup role. Johnson was one of the few Browns who turned in a decent outing vs. New England. The one-two punch of Chubb and Johnson sets up nicely against the Lions, who rank 30th in rushing yards per game allowed.

The team also activated rookie RB Demetric Felton, giving the offense another valuable weapon.

Nick Harris the latest Browns player to go on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns have placed reserve OL Nick Harris on the reserve/COVID-19 list

The ongoing COVID-19 issues inside the Cleveland Browns aren’t going away. A day after the team went into enhanced COVID-19 protocols due to several players testing positive for the virus, another Browns player has joined the crowd on the reserve list.

This time it’s reserve offensive lineman Nick Harris. He joins RBs Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton and John Kelly on the reserve/COVID-19 list, as well as two members of the practice squad. Players who are vaccinated can return with two consecutive days of negative tests. Harris’ status is unknown, but Chubb and Felton have both confirmed they are vaccinated.

It’s another blow to the depth chart for the Browns, who were severely impacted by COVID-19 issues in the 2020 season, too.

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Packers place DL Tyler Lancaster on COVID-19 reserve list

Packers DL Tyler Lancaster was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Tuesday.

The Green Bay Packers placed defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

Lancaster has played in all three games for the Packers this season. He dealt with a back injury and struggled the first two games but was excellent over 17 snaps against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.

Lancaster is landing on the COVID list after defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery tested positive and missed the Packers’ Week 2 win over the Detroit Lions.

If vaccinated, Lancaster can return to the team after two negative tests 24 hours apart.

The Packers could use more of rookies T.J. Slaton and Jack Heflin if Lancaster isn’t back to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

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Browns activate Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from the reserve/COVID-19 list

Browns rookie LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah passed protocols and was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time for the first padded practice

The Cleveland Browns got some good news before the start of Tuesday’s practice session in Berea, the first session with players in full pads. Second-round rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to participate in the afternoon session.

Owusu-Koramoah has been sidelined on the reserve list since the start of training camp due to the NFL’s COVID-19 regulations. He was placed on the reserve list on July 25th due to a positive test. The Notre Dame product revealed he’s not suffered any symptoms from the COVID-19 infection but still couldn’t participate in practices.

The Browns can certainly use “JOK” in practice a day after starting linebacker Anthony Walker left practice with a leg injury.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah placed on the COVID-19 list

Even before training camp begins, COVID-19 hits the Browns with JOK hitting the reserve list.

The Cleveland Browns were hoping for smooth sailing this year related to COVID-19 after problem after problem last year. Unfortunately, today the team announced that they have placed rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Owusu-Koramoah reported to Berea with the rest of the rookies on Saturday. Expected to compete for one of the starting linebacker roles, Owusu-Koramoah could now be setback for a week or so before rejoining his teammates.

Cleveland traded up for the Notre Dame star in the second round after considering him with their first-round pick as well. Scouts loved the linebacker’s ability to run sideline to sideline and cover all different kinds of offensive players in the pass game. While under traditional weight for a linebacker, Owusu-Koramoah is also a bigger hitter.

Following the NFL draft, reports surfaced that the Browns rookie fell into the second round due to a heart issue. The team and player minimized any concerns but those could become more pressing with his placement on the COVID-19 list.

Last year, Myles Garrett was diagnosed with COVID-19 and continued to struggle with his conditioning following his return.

With Anthony Walker, Malcolm Smith and Jacob Phillips battling for, likely, two starting linebacker spots, Owusu-Koramoah’s absence could put him behind greatly to start the season. Rookies tend to have some struggles adjusting to the NFL speed and now missing live reps at training camp could make that last longer.

With significant rules in place related to vaccinated and unvaccinated players, COVID-19 has continued to be front and center for the NFL. For the Browns, who lost a lot of practice time and different players missing games, COVID-19 continues to impact their organization.

Joel Bitonio activated, all Browns players off reserve/COVID-19 list

Bitonio missed the wild-card game after playing every snap in the regular season

For the first time in several weeks, the Cleveland Browns no longer have any players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio was activated from the list on Friday and rejoins the active roster.

Bitonio was the last player on the list from the recent COVID-19 outbreak that has impacted the Browns since Week 15. He comes off the list a day after head coach Kevin Stefanski returned from his own bout with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19. Cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson returned earlier this week.

Bitonio missed the wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers after playing every snap during the regular season. The man who replaced him at left guard last Sunday, Michael Dunn, is now on injured reserve, so getting Bitonio back is a huge boost for the Browns offensive line.

Browns activate WR KhaDarel Hodge from reserve/COVID-19 list

Hodge’s activation leaves only LG Joel Bitonio on the COVID-19 list

The Browns welcomed back another player from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge was activated off the list and returned to the team facilities.

Hodge missed the Browns win over the Steelers in the wild-card round after testing positive for COVID-19. The wideout and special teams standout also missed the Week 16 game against the New York Jets as a close contact of someone who had tested positive, though he did play in Week 17 against the Steelers in between stints on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

In his second season with the Browns, Hodge caught 11 passes for 180 yards. All 11 of his receptions resulted in first downs.

Hodge’s activation leaves just left guard Joel Bitonio on the list for active players. Bitonio can still be activated at any time before Sunday afternoon’s game in Kansas City. Cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson came off the list on Wednesday.

Updated Browns COVID-19 status for the divisional round

There are still players and coaches who could return for Sunday’s game

The Browns are preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round on Sunday. More players and coaches who have been sidelined with the team’s COVID-19 outbreak continue to become available by the day.

On Wednesday, the Browns activated Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Both cornerbacks missed the last two weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus.

There are still some players and coaches whose statuses remain up in the air.

Players still on the reserve/COVID-19 list

Left guard Joel Bitonio

Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge

Both Bitonio and Hodge have the potential to be activated before Sunday’s game, but it is not certain that will happen. They were placed on the reserve list on Jan. 5th, which means the earliest they can be activated from their positive tests is Friday, Jan. 15th.

Coaches still sidelined

Head coach Kevin Stefanski

Passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard

Assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters

Tight ends coach Drew Petzing

All the coaches could return as early as Thursday, based on the timeline of the positive testing. They will each need to clear the COVID-19 protocols established by the NFL and NFLPA, which do carry over to the coaching staff as well.

Offensive line coach Bill Callahan has cleared the protocols and is back with the team.

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