CLEVELAND — Editor's note: The video above was originally published on December 31, 2020.
The Cleveland Browns have announced that another coach for the team has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement released on Saturday morning, just one day ahead of the make-or-break matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced the new case of coronavirus and said that the practice facility would be closed.
“The Cleveland Browns were informed this morning that a member of their coaching staff has tested positive for COVID-19," the statement obtained by 3News read.
"The team will continue virtual meetings as the facility is currently closed while contact tracing is conducted. We will consult with league medical professionals on the appropriate next steps.”
Previously, NFL representatives indicated that Sunday's game between the Browns and Steelers would go on as scheduled, as the league had determined that there was no indication of COVID-19 spread within the Browns organization.
It's not clear whether this new case of coronavirus is tied to close contact within the team, or some other source of infection.
Earlier this week, an assistant coach for the Browns tested positive for COVID-19, along with multiple players.
There are currently six players on the Browns COVID-19/Reserve list. At least three of those players have tested positive for the coronavirus.
While the club does not release the names of those who test positive due to NFL rules, multiple media outlets reported that two of the players who tested positive are linebacker Malcolm Smith and former Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, and they were added to the Browns' COVID-19/Reserve list on Thursday.
Tight end Harrison Bryant is also reported to have tested positive. Bryant was added to the team's COVID-19/Reserve list on Tuesday, along with safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo.
"We are in constant communication with the league and with our medical staff and finding out what we can do," head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters at that time.
"We are getting our work done. We are just going to really lean heavily on the medical professionals and follow their guidelines, and that is what we have done to date."
On Thursday, wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge, as well as Jacob Phillips, were activated from the COVID-19/Reserve list, after being placed on the COVID-19 list as close contacts of linebacker B.J. Goodson, who reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday's game.
These are the players who are currently on the Browns' COVID-19/Reserve list:
- Cornerback Denzel Ward
- Linebacker Malcolm Smith
- Tight End Harrison Bryant
- Safety Karl Joseph
- Safety Andrew Sendejo
- Linebacker B.J. Goodson
This is a developing story. Check back with WKYC.com for updates.