FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Cleveland Browns got their coach back on the sideline. The New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles might be without theirs this weekend, AP reported.
The Buffalo Bills will be without wide receiver Cole Beasley, who has been among the NFL’s most outspoken critics of vaccinations.
Browns second-year coach Kevin Stefanski cleared Covid-19 protocols Wednesday and returned to the team after missing Monday’s 16-14 home loss to Las Vegas. Stefanski also sat out the Browns’ playoff win at Pittsburgh last season after testing positive.
“Good to be back,” Stefanski told reporters on a Zoom call from the team’s Berea, Ohio, facility. “Obviously, working remotely is something that we all did a bunch of last year so it is definitely doable to work remotely, game plan remotely, run meetings, etc., but good to be back in person.”
“I’m feeling OK,” said Sirianni, who was on the sideline for Philadelphia’s win over Washington on Tuesday night. “I’m feeling a little bit better now, which is good. The rest of the week, I’ll be in every meeting, obviously virtually. … I’ll be running those. Just business as usual.”
The Jets have 18 players from the active and practice squad rosters, including injured reserve, on the Covid-19 list: wide receivers Elijah Moore, Jeff Smith and Vyncint Smith; tight end Kenny Yeboah; guard Alijah Vera-Tucker; defensive linemen Folorunso Fatukasi, John Franklin-Myers, Jonathan Marshall, Hamilcar Rashed Jr., and Tanzel Smart; linebackers Blake Cashman, Noah Dawkins and Hamsah Nasirildeen; cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Lamar Jackson; safeties Ashtyn Davis and Sharrod Neasman; and special teams ace Justin Hardee.
“It’s crazy,” left tackle George Fant said. “You see other teams get hit with it. I guess it’s our turn.”
Now that they’ve got their coach back, the Browns hope more players return as they get ready on a short week for a Christmas visit to the NFC-leading Green Bay Packers (11-3). The Browns are on the fringe of the playoff picture.
The Browns were rocked by the virus last week, when an outbreak led to 22 players missing the rescheduled game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield still hasn’t produced a required negative test and his status at Green Bay is unclear.
Browns tight end Austin Hooper and linebacker Jacob Phillips also returned, but starting rookie cornerback Greg Newsome was added to the Covid-19 list. He has missed the past two games with a concussion.
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