Sports
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski Tests Positive For COVID-19
Ahead of Sunday's playoff game, coach Kevin Stefanski, two other coaches and two players, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has tested positive for COVID-19.
The team announced Stefanski's positive test on Tuesday. In addition to Stefanski, two other coaches and two players have tested positive for the virus. The Browns have closed their facility due to the positive tests.
Contact tracing is now taking place, the Browns said.
Find out what's happening in Clevelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Browns are scheduled to make their first postseason appearance in nearly two decades on Sunday. If Stefanski cannot coach the team, Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as head coach for the game.
Stefanski is widely considered a finalist for the NFL's Coach of the Year award.
Find out what's happening in Clevelandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
We were informed this morning that Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, two additional members of the coaching staff and two players have tested positive for COVID-19. Our contingency planning calls for Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer to serve as the acting Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/Mhh9Zt1e4d
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 5, 2021
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the two players who tested positive for the virus are left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
On Sunday, Cleveland and Pittsburgh will match up again, this time at Heinz Field. Kick-off is at 8:15 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC (WKYC locally in Cleveland).
The last time the Browns made the playoffs was in 2002. They were tossed out of the postseason by the Steelers. The team also made the playoffs in 1994—and were beaten by the Steelers.
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