Browns Player Tests Positive For COVID-19, But No Close Contacts, Facility Reopens

The Cleveland Browns have announced their first positive COVID-19 case for a player this season.

The team released the following statement:

“Earlier this morning, the Cleveland Browns were informed that a player’s test results have come back positive for COVID-19. The individual has immediately self-isolated and the Browns facility is closed this morning while contact tracing is being conducted. The team will continue to hold meetings remotely (part of the NFL-NFLPA intensive protocol) and will consult with the league and medical experts on the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”

Beyond the team concern, it's simply about hoping that whichever player has the virus has the best possible outcome in their recovery, which goes beyond the game of football. A handful of players in the NFL have reported symptoms and have had lingering effects that have caused them to miss a significant amount of time this season.

To the Browns credit, they were able to avoid having a positive test until week 10, save for when they had a rash of false positives that were quickly corrected. The diligence of the Browns players and coaches when it comes to COVID-19 has been one important reason for their success this season.

The team has confirmed it's not a false positive and the player will be forced to sit out against the Houston Texans, which is still set to take place Sunday.

The team released a follow up statement, which announced that no players were classified as close contacts, so they will only be without one player for the game against the Texans. Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard has been placed on the COVID-19/Reserved List.

We have re-opened our facility this afternoon after contact tracing was completed and zero high-risk close contacts were identified. We remain in the NFL-NFLPA intensive protocol and will hold a practice session this afternoon beginning at 3pm.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 13, 2020

The Browns have reopened the facility with a plan to hold a practice at 3pm, which would not be open to the media.

The Browns cannot comment on Hubbard's health other than noting his roster status, but given the fact he was playing backup right guard in Wyatt Teller's stead when he was injured and is at least the backup right tackle, the team will likely promote another offensive lineman off the practice squad for depth on Sunday.