4 changes Cleveland Browns should make against Steelers in Week 17
By Nick Pedone
3. Play Ronnie Harrison and Karl Joseph at the same time
The Cleveland Browns defense has been completely decimated by COVID-19.
Linebackers B.J. Goodson and Malcolm Smith have both tested positive for the virus. Safety Andrew Sendejo was identified as a high-risk close contact and was quickly ruled out. Cornerback Denzel Ward also tested positive.
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods is going to have to go deep into his bag of tricks for this game, even without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback for the Steelers. Without Sendejo and Ward, the secondary is going to be already patched up. Without two starting linebackers, and Tae Davis and Sione Takitaki already questionable with ankle injuries, Woods isn’t left with many players defensively.
Using packages with both Karl Joseph and Ronnie Harrison is the answer here.
This week, the Browns activated Harrison off the injured reserve. Joseph is still on the COVID list as a close contact but is eligible to play on Sunday if he continues to test negative. While free safety Sheldrick Redwine is expected to take Sendejo’s snaps, Stefanski said Harrison and Joseph could both play at the same time.
With Mason Rudolph starting at quarterback, it is unlikely the Steelers are going to take many deep-ball risks offensively. Floating both Harrison and Joseph around the box to protect against short-yardage play could be paramount for Cleveland’s patched-up defense.
If it happens, this would be the fifth different starting pairing at safety this year for the Browns.