Cleveland Browns add Malcolm Smith, Harrison Bryant to COVID-19 Reserve after positive tests
By Nick Pedone
The Cleveland Browns had more bad news on Thursday
With the playoffs on the line, the Cleveland Browns will be without linebacker Malcolm Smith and tight end Harrison Bryant on Sunday versus Pittsburgh.
Smith and Bryant tested positive for COVID-19, causing Cleveland’s facility to shut down on Thursday morning, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Browns will be thin at linebacker against the Steelers, without B.J. Goodson, who tested positive last week, and now Smith. Sione Takitaki and Tae Davis were limited at Wednesday’s practice with ankle injuries. Starting free safety Andrew Sendejo will not get to face Mason Rudolph, as he was ruled out due to contact tracing.
In better COVID-related news, the Browns activated wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, according to coach Kevin Stefanski. Rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips was activated as well. It’s possible that safety Karl Joseph could be activated by Sunday if he continues to test negative.
Currently, contact tracing is underway again in Berea. The Browns are awaiting word on practice, and any potential high-risk, close-contacts to Smith. Bryant was already in isolation. At this point, any player that is deemed a close-contact will be ineligible for Sunday’s game due to the NFL’s five-day quarantine window.
Luckily for the Browns, they will not see Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback for Pittsburgh. Defensive ends T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, along with center Maurkice Pouncey were also ruled out for the Steelers for rest, according to Gerry Dulac.
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Cleveland needs a win on Sunday to clinch their first playoff birth since 2002.