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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Brown received’t have their greatest cornerback again for the Steelers sport in Denzel Ward, however they may have their greatest security in Ronnie Harrison.
The Browns introduced on Saturday that Ward and fellow cornerback Kevin Johnson will stay on the COVID-19 checklist and received’t face the Steelers on Sunday evening, however they activated security Ronnie Harrison, tight finish Harrison Bryant and linebacker Malcolm Smith off the checklist.
Harrison and observe squad linebacker Montrel Meander examined optimistic for COVID-19 on Thursday, however examined detrimental thereafter and the NFL decided on Saturday that each had been false positives and activated them.
In consequence, security Jovante Moffatt, who was positioned on the COVID-19 reserve checklist Friday as a detailed contact of Harrison, was additionally activated.
A supply informed cleveland.com that beginning cornerback Terrance Mitchell was held out of shape on Friday with a optimistic COVID-19 check, however he examined detrimental on Saturday and was additionally deemed a false optimistic. He’s listed as questionable however is predicted to play.
Browns proper sort out Jack Conklin additionally sat out Friday’s observe with an sickness and stays questionable for the sport, a group spokesman stated Saturday. It’s not recognized if he participated within the 1 p.m. walk-through on Saturday or if he’ll fly to Pittsburgh with the remainder of the group. The NFL stipulated the Browns fly as an alternative of bus over to mitigate virus transmission.
If Conklin’s signs are COVID-like, he’ll want two detrimental assessments 24 hours aside to play, however the group isn’t offering such particulars on his standing.
It leaves solely Ward, Johnson, left guard Joel Bitonio and receiver KhaDarel Hodge on the COVID-19 reserve checklist amongst gamers as they boarded the aircraft for Pittsburgh following their 1 p.m. walk-through. Different gamers who returned this week from COVID-19 are linebacker B.J. Goodson and security Andrew Sendejo.
The coaches nonetheless lacking the sport due to the virus are Kevin Stefanski, offensive line coach Invoice Callahan, assistant line coach Scott Peters, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard. Receivers coach
The absences of Ward and Johnson are enormous towards Ben Roethlisberger and his three glorious receivers in JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Ward, a 2018 Professional Bowler, is the Browns lockdown nook and had an incredible season regardless of lacking three video games with a strained calf.
“He’s a hell of a participant,’’ Myles Garrett stated Friday. “Guys don’t prefer to throw it his approach, and he makes performs whether or not they’re operating to his aspect or throwing to his aspect. He’s a risk at any time.’’
It means first 12 months cornerback Robert Jackson will doubtless have to begin for the second straight week rather than Ward. Jackson, signed to he Browns’ observe squad in 2018, made his first profession begin throughout Sunday’s 24-22 victory over the Steelers and was focused 10 instances by Mason Rudolph. He gave up six receptions, together with a 41-yarder that led to a discipline purpose and the 47-yarder on the Steelers’ remaining drive that led to a 2-yard TD move to Smith-Schuster to tug Pittsburgh inside two.
However defensive coordinator Joe Woods believes that Jackson will step up his sport Sunday evening.
“I positively suppose he can do this,’’ Woods stated this week. “That was actually his first publicity. Throwing him on the market beneath these circumstances was actually a tall process. I really feel like he made some performs. All of us have seen the performs that he didn’t make, however while you return and also you watch it, it’s all the time what I attempt to inform the gamers is ‘This evaluates your approach. Might it have been higher?’
“While you have a look at it, he positively might have been higher technique-wise on a few these performs, and he was a half-step away from making these. Hopefully, he could make that soar this week as a result of I believe they’re positively going to focus on him.”
Woods admitted that he had little selection however to begin Jackson final week.
“Actually, there should not many individuals to audition,’’ he stated. “It’s like we’ve to go along with what we’ve to go along with. All of these guys are very succesful. Now we have the power to have a couple of totally different combos with the blokes who we may have up this week at this level. I’m completely assured in Robert and have seen what he’s accomplished. For him to exit in that sport and the magnitude of that sport, I felt like he did some good issues, and among the different issues that he bought beat on, we will get him a little bit bit higher ready technically to have some success.”
The lack of Ward for the Browns is offset considerably by the lack of cornerback Joe Haden for the Steelers. He additionally examined optimistic for COVID-19 and can sit out the sport.
However the presence of Harrison, the Browns beginning robust security, is massive for the Browns. Harrison returned to motion towards the Steelers final week and performed all 67 snaps regardless of lacking the earlier 4 video games with a shoulder damage.
“It was good to get Ronnie again,’’ Woods stated earlier than the entire COVID flap. “The blokes love being round Ronnie. He’s similar to the child on the playground who simply likes to play soccer. He brings a variety of power to our protection. He was off a little bit bit, however that was simply him getting his legs again beneath him. I really feel like he’ll positively play higher, however having him out there may be massive for us. He’s all the time across the soccer.’’
This week, simply being on the sphere is an accomplishment.
PRACTICE SQUAD MOVES
The Browns elevated the next gamers from the observe squad:
* WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
* CB A.J. Inexperienced (COVID-19 substitute)
* T Alex Taylor
The Browns additionally launched DT Joey Ivy from the observe squad.
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