CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns have the chance to overcome all their adversity over the past two weeks and tackle their 17-season playoffs against the Steelers today at FirstEnergy Stadium.
It was another tough COVID-19 week, with Denzel Ward, Malcolm Smith and Harrison Bryant all testing positive, and Kevin’s replacement, Kevin Johnson, was placed on the virus reserve list late Saturday night as a close contact or as a positive.
The Browns also have three coaches on the COVID-19 reserve list in attacking coach Bill Callahan, coach Chad O’Shea and attacking coach Scott Peters.
Some notes before the game:
1. Wyatt Teller is active against the Steelers
In a perfect world, Teller would have put out this game with his high single tension, but it’s time and he will play. Teller missed three games with the sprained ankle he suffered on December 14 against the Ravens, and he may not be 100% today.
But even 80% of Teller are better than most guards. On top of that, the Steelers Pro Bowlers TJ Watt and Cam Heyward will rest today so Teller doesn’t have to argue with this.
Left-back Jedrick Wills Jr., who missed the Jets game due to a flu-like illness that was not COVID-19, is back to himself this week.
2. Myles Garrett can set the team record and strengthen his case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
With Mason Rudolph starting the game and Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey resting, Garrett could have a monster day. He had his best game against the Jets last week since returning from COVID-19, and would have had a stripper if the official had not blown too soon.
He is No. 6 in the NFL with 12 pockets, but is only three shy of NFL leader Watt, who puts out this game. With a slippery slope or two, Garrett can make a strong case for the coveted NFL Defensive Player of the Year award he missed last season.
He also needs just 2.5 bags to reach another goal to set the Browns’ 14-point pocket record set by Reggie Camp in 1984.
Garrett, who has been named captain for this game, expects him to stop burning today and possibly reach some individual goals to help the Browns win the playoffs.
3. Denzel Ward may have to miss the playoffs
The Browns are hoping to get Ward back for the playoffs next weekend, but he will pinch it off now, whether the game is Saturday or Sunday or not. Ward must be at least ten days apart from the first time he reported symptoms or when his test was administered, and then he must pass the cardiac screening and be cleared for action.
He was placed on the list late Thursday afternoon, so it is not yet known whether his positive test was administered on Wednesday or Thursday. This can make a difference depending on whether he is symptomatic.
To make matters worse, his replacement, Kevin Johnson, was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Saturday night. Because the news came so late, Johnson could be a close contact, meaning he has a good chance of being back for the playoffs next weekend.
But the Browns are challenged in the second Sunday with Ward, Johnson and Andrew Sendejo (positive for COVID-19).
4. Bill Callahan, coach of the Olympics, is also difficult
The Browns will probably also have to be without Callahan in the playoffs if they make it. Callahan, who felt good on Friday night, tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and will have to isolate himself for ten days. This will keep him at home during a playoff game on Saturday or Sunday. His assistant coach, Scott Peters, was a close contact and will likely be available for a playoff game.
The Browns are hoping to get Chad O’Shea, the receiving coordinator, back for the playoffs. He tested positive on Wednesday and his minimum of ten days would expire on Friday.
On Sunday, Callahan will not be on hand to help the Browns adjust to everything the Steelers’ sophisticated front throws at them.
5. The NFL gave the Brown good feedback
The NFL has applauded the Browns for dealing with their COVID-19 crisis over the past two weeks. The league told Browns that most of the positive tests were out of their control and that they were above and beyond duty in complying with protocols.
The only mistake was in the days before the Jets game, when some players did not have their masks properly in the recovery pool, where they came in contact with BJ Goodson. The rest of the positive things come from outside the facility, and contact is mostly limited.
6. Nick Chubb can be over 1,000
Feedback coach Stump Mitchell was confident that both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt would both go more than 1,000 meters this season, but at least Chubb would have to achieve the feat on Sunday. He has 959 yards and needs 41 for his second career of 1,000 yards and second in a row.
Hunt has 804 meters and it will be difficult to reach 1,000 today.
Chubb had three consecutive games but was relegated for the loss of the first time in the rookie of the season to return below 1,000. Last season, he finished second in the NFL for Derrick Henry of Tennessee with 1,494. If he achieved this feat this season, he would have done so despite missing four games.
7. Robert Jackson is a starting team of CB
With Ward and Johnson out, Robert Jackson, who was first signed to the Browns practice team in 2018, is listed as the starter in Ward’s place, starting his first career. He was originally signed by the Colts as an unknown newcomer to UNLV in 2018. He has appeared in nine games for the Browns this season, all in special teams.
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