One other week, one other shutdown of the Cleveland Browns‘ facility. Days after delaying a flight to New Jersey for Week 16’s matchup with the New York Jets, the crew introduced Wednesday that it has as soon as once more closed its headquarters attributable to further COVID-19 instances. Knowledgeable that each a participant and employees member examined optimistic for the virus, the Browns started contact tracing prematurely of Sunday’s season finale in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, which stays on the schedule.

The crew introduced late Wednesday afternoon that they had been cleared to return to the ability after contact tracing had been accomplished. The Browns additionally activated security Ronnie Harrison, who sustained a shoulder harm in the course of the crew’s Week 12 win over the Jaguars. Cleveland positioned tight finish Harrison Bryant, security Andrew Sendejo and security Karl Joseph on the crew’s reserve/COVID-19 listing earlier this week. 

In final Sunday’s upset loss to the Jets, Cleveland was with out receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebackers B.J. Goodson and Jacob Phillips, who had been every positioned on the reserve/COVID-19 listing previous to kickoff. The Browns are hoping to get these gamers again earlier than Sunday’s recreation. 

That is removed from the primary time the Browns have shuttered their facility attributable to COVID-19 issues. Cleveland has endured a number of closures, typically out of an abundance of warning and different occasions attributable to a number of infections, all through the 2020 season however has but to have a recreation rescheduled consequently. This closure does not determine to have an effect on Sunday’s recreation, both, besides doubtlessly making the contaminated participant and coach unavailable for the matchup.

If the Browns lose Sunday’s recreation, they would wish both a Colts loss or a Titans loss together with wins by the Ravens and Dolphins with a view to make the playoffs. If the Browns make the playoffs, Cleveland and Pittsburgh might presumably face one another within the first spherical of the playoffs. The Steelers and Browns have beforehand met twice within the postseason, with Pittsburgh profitable each contests.