UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Browns’ COVID-19 troubles continued Thursday as rookie tight end Harrison Bryant and linebacker Malcolm Smith tested positive. That forced the team to close its facility and delay practice for the second straight day, as the team prepares to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday with a playoff spot on the line.
A league spokesman said at this point the game will be played as scheduled, and that the situation is being closely monitored as standard contact tracing continues.
Bryant and Smith will miss Sunday’s game along with starting linebacker B.J. Goodson and safety Andrew Sendejo, both of whom tested positive.
In other NFL news:
— Cardinals safety Chris Banjo will not play Sunday after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Rams defensive lineman Michael Brockers has been placed on the COVID-19/reserve list, keeping him out of Sunday’s matchup with Arizona. The Cardinals need a win to make the playoffs, while the Rams need a win or a loss by the Bears.
—The Atlanta Falcons have placed center Alex Mack on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The Falcons did only virtual work on Thursday following the positive test.
— Dolphins backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has tested positive for COVID-19 and is expected to miss Sunday’s regular-season finale at Buffalo. Fitzpatrick replaced Tua Tagovailoa last weekend in the fourth quarter. He orchestrated an improbable comeback win at Las Vegas that allowed the Dolphins to retain control of their playoff chances.
— Packers coach Matt LaFleur says there’s a possibility newly acquired defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison could play in the team’s regular-season finale Sunday at Chicago. The Packers claimed Harrison off waivers from the Seahawks on Wednesday.
