NEWARK, N.J. — The show must go on for the Browns vs. the Jets on Sunday despite the fact that their top four receivers and two starting linebackers are on COVID-19 reserve. The NFL determined that everyone else was safe.
“As we’ve stated throughout the year and clubs are well aware, we make all reasonable efforts, consistent with underlying health and safety principles, to play all regular and postseason games as scheduled,’' NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told cleveland.com. “This is grounded in a commitment to the players, the clubs and fans.
“Adhering to the jointly developed NFL-NFLPA protocols, it was determined by medical professionals that there was no risk of additional transmission of the virus among the team or facility and the game could be played safely as scheduled.’'
Landry, Higgins, People-Jones and 3 others placed on COVID-19 reserve
Browns linebacker B.J. Goodson tested positive for the virus on Saturday morning, and five players were identified as high-risk contacts: receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, and rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips. All six will sit out Sunday’s game against the 1-13 Jets — a game in which the Browns could clinch their first playoff berth since 2002 with some help — and Goodson must also sit out the season finale against the Steelers next week.
“The league has communicated to the clubs throughout the year that this season would have to be different and competitive concerns would be secondary to the health and safety of the players and personnel. Clubs bear the burden when there are issues among their personnel or facility,’' McCarthy said. “All decisions where games have been moved this season were to ensure the health and safety of the participants and personnel.’'
McCarthy noted that competitive concerns haven’t factored into the decision on when to reschedule. The Broncos had to play a game without their quarterbacks, losing to the Saints 31-3. The Patriots had to play a game without Cam Newton, and lost 26-10 to the Chiefs.
“This was similar to other cases earlier in the season when clubs lost players for games or practices (49ers, Packers, Raiders),” McCarthy said. “We identified close contacts of positive players and removed them for the required five days. This allowed the 49ers/Packers to be played despite the 49ers losing multiple WRs and the Packers losing multiple RBs. The Raiders had their entire offensive line identified as high risk close contacts of a positive player and played that week without any practice time.’'
Conversely, several games were moved due to medical concerns, including the Steelers-Ravens game that was ultimately played on Dec. 2. The Ravens had 23 players test positive, while the Browns have one. With Robert Griffin replacing Lamar Jackson, they lost that game 19-14.
“We postponed the game to ensure that we had confidence that the virus was contained,’' McCarthy said. “We believed that we sufficiently traced the virus and identified at-risk personnel to proceed with the game at no increased risk to the participants. Even then, the Ravens played without 10 players from their active roster as a result of positive cases and close contacts.’'
At 9-5, the defending AFC North champions are trying to win out to return to the playoffs.
“That case is similar to games that were postponed earlier this season involving the Titans and the Patriots,’' McCarthy said. “In both of those cases, the games were not played until we had captured the spread of the virus in the facility. Even then, the Patriots’ Cam Newton still missed a game after his positive test.”
He explained that contact tracing has improved since some of the previous situations and that the league is better able to identify players at high risk for becoming positive.
“Working closely with the NFLPA, we identify those individuals and remove them from the team for five days,’' he said. “To date, more than 25 individuals identified as high-risk close contacts have turned positive.’'
If Landry and the rest of the high-risk contacts continue to test negative, they can rejoin the team likely on Thursday, and will be available to face the Steelers in the season finale, which could decide the AFC North crown. Goodson must sit out that game because players who test positive must remain away from the team for a minimum of 10 days.
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New Browns face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Browns-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NFL proceeds donated to CDC Foundation.
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