The Browns finally got a chance to practice before their first playoff game in nearly two decades.
Cleveland held practice at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday after receiving approval from the league, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
The Browns have dealt with COVID-19-related issues for three weeks dating back to a positive test less than 24 hours before their Week 16 game against the New York Jets, and another rash of positives have forced Cleveland to prepare for Sunday night's wild-card game against Pittsburgh without head coach Kevin Stefanski and rock-solid guard Joel Bitonio, who each tested positive. Cleveland had been working remotely all week until Friday.
Luckily, they were at least able to take the practice field once this week after it appeared they might be forced to play Sunday without any time to prepare in person as a group. Cleveland will be without a number of starters as well, with safety Ronnie Harrison becoming the latest to test positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. The team placed safety Jovante Moffatt on the reserve/COVID-19 list and activated center Javon Patterson from the practice squad/COVID-19 list.
The shorthanded Browns will travel to Pittsburgh with a plan to have special teams coordinator Mike Priefer serve as head coach, and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will take over playcalling duties from Stefanski, who will be forced to watch from home.
