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The Browns closed their facility for the second time in less than a week due to positive COVID-19 tests.
A statement Wednesday morning announced that the team’s headquarters had been closed after a player and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. They also closed the facility and delayed their trip to New Jersey after a player tested positive last Saturday.
Contact tracking is underway to determine which other players may need to stay away from the team. Saturday’s contact tracker led to four wide receivers missing Sunday’s loss to the Jets.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said the players are expected on Thursday as long as they remain negative. However, the Browns put three other players on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Monday, and Tuesday’s news raises concerns that there may be more players off the active list ahead of Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
The game has major implications for the Browns playoffs and the NFL will likely do everything in its power to prevent a Week 17 game from being postponed, although a broader outburst could make it difficult.