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Browns corner line Denzel Ward was placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list on Thursday and will therefore not be able to play against the Steelers on Sunday.
Ward may also not be available for a Wild Card playoff game. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that Ward has been placed on the reserve list due to a positive test rather than making close contact with anyone else.
If the Browns are eligible for the playoffs, they can play on Saturday, January 9 or Sunday, January 10. If this is the earlier date, Ward will still be in the ten-day quarantine period required by positive tests.
Tighthead prop Harrison Bryant and linebacker Malcolm Smith apparently also tested positive on Thursday. Linebacker BJ Goodson and safety Andrew Sendejo will also miss Sunday’s game after positive tests.
The Browns did not train on Thursday after closing their facility due to positive tests. They are scheduled to work Friday, though test results will determine whether that happens or not.