Cleveland Browns get good news, no positive test results on Friday

The Pittsburgh Steelers, and their global fan base, had been shaking their heads with the news of the Cleveland Browns having to shut down their facility the past two days as they dealt with positive COVID-19 tests.

Wednesday the NFL allowed the Browns to practice in the late afternoon after going through contact tracing and a thorough investigation. On Thursday, when the Browns had two more positive tests, the league told them they were not permitted to open their facility for practice.

Friday didn’t just bring in a new year, but also good news for the Browns. The early results of the latest COVID-19 tests in Cleveland came back with no new positives.

The Browns players who have tested positive so far this week are: linebacker Malcolm Smith, tight end Harrison Bryant and cornerback Denzel Ward. Whether they are high risk contacts, or tested positive, is not made public, but either way all three of the aforementioned players will not be in the lineup Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

As of now, the Week 17 AFC North game Sunday against the Steelers is still on as scheduled. If the Browns win, they clinch their first playoff berth since 2002, but if Mason Rudolph is able to lead the Steelers to victory, it would put a huge dent in the Browns’ chances of making the postseason.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the Browns in the regular season finale, and get ready for their first AFC Playoff berth since the 2017 season.