BEREA, Ohio – Two days before his first playoff appearance in 18 years, the Cleveland Browns will finally train.
The NFL allowed the team to train on Friday afternoon for the first time this week. The Cleveland training facility was closed on Tuesday after head coach Kevin Stefanski and four other team members tested positive for COVID-19.
Wednesday and Thursday practices were canceled as the team prepared remotely for Sunday night’s AFC wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“We’ll have to rely on the time and things we’ve been working on so far, with limited rehearsals,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said after Thursday’s workout was canceled. “We can’t use this as an excuse. We can’t use this as something that will stop us. We just have to find a way.”
The browns, significantly deficient, will have to find a way on Sunday. Stefanski, Pro Bowl goalkeeper Joel Bitonio, safety Ronnie Harrison and potential other key players will not travel to Pittsburgh due to COVID-19 protocols.
All Browns players tested on Thursday and Friday are negative, with only offensive assistant coach Scott Peters, who missed last Sunday’s game as a close, high-risk contact, testing positive for COVID-19, a source for ESPN’s Adam Schefter said. .
Earlier this week, assistant Drew Petzing and defensive coach Jeff Howard tested positive for the virus. And last Sunday against the Steelers, the Browns were without offensive coach Bill Callahan and receiving coach Chad O’Shea, who tested positive last week.
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the head coach on Sunday, while offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will play parts for Stefanski.
“This is a struggling team,” Van Pelt said Thursday. “This is a resilient team. … I feel great when I take anyone who’s stayed there in Pittsburgh. I know you will receive [our] The best.”