CLEVELAND — With 14 active roster and three practice squad Browns players coming down with COVID-19 in addition to two coaches, there is much uncertainty about what the future holds for the club.
Whatever ends up happening between now and Saturday could have major implications on whether the Browns qualify for the playoffs.
The NFL told Spectrum News on Wednesday that “there’s no timeline and there’s been no discussion of changing the game’s status.”
When asked about the prospects of a postponement, head coach Kevin Stefanski, who is among those who is in COVID-19 protocol, said “I’d like to see the Browns play well versus the Raiders.”
Stefanski’s focus remains on preparing his team for Saturday’s game at Las Vegas. A win Saturday could go a long way in keeping the Browns in the hunt for a playoff spot.
“I am worried about today, having great meetings and our walkthrough,” he said. “Really, that is what our focus is. That is what I told the team. We have to focus on our job, and then we have to do our job. I understand that there are distractions, and I understand that there is a lot going on, but I really do not care. What I care about is making sure that we have our best week of preparation.”
General Manager Andrew Berry said before the season that more than 90% of the roster and the entire coaching staff is vaccinated against COVID-19. For those who are vaccinated, they can return after providing two negative COVID-19 tests 24 hours apart. The Browns are hopeful that some of the players who have tested positive in recent days can return by Saturday.
Stefanski said he’ll continue to coach the team virtually. On Wednesday, Stefanski was continuing to hold virtual meetings and direct the team from afar.
Stefanski said the Browns did not have a normal practice on Wednesday, but still gathered players for walkthrough.
If Stefanski is unable to provide two negative COVID tests 24 hours apart before Saturday’s game, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as acting head coach and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will serve as the play caller in Saturday’s game.
Stefanski said Wednesday that he was feeling fine. It’s unknown how many of the players who are in COVID-19 protocol are experiencing symptoms.
The team’s depth has been tested at times this year, but this COVID-19 outbreak could strain the team more than at any other point this season. Offensive starters Baker Mayfield, Austin Hooper, Jarvis Landry and Wyatt Teller are among those in protocol. Their potential absences would be in addition to running back Kareem Hunt, who is unlikely to play Sunday due to an ankle injury, and David Njoku, a key tight end who is in COVID protocol.
Stefanski expressed his confidence in Van Pelt who might have to lead a jumbled offense.
“My confidence, as you can imagine, is incredibly high with all of our coaches. We have been through this before so if I am unavailable on Saturday, I have the utmost confidence in Coach Prief and AVP,” Stevanski said. “Really, that is the mentality we have as an organization with our players and with our coaches – next man up.”
Starting defensive players John Johnson III and Anthony Walker were also among those in COVID protocol.
