CLEVELAND — As the Cleveland Browns continue their preparations for a Christmas Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers, their head coach is back in the building. On Wednesday, Kevin Stefanski made his return to the team's facility in Berea -- one week after testing positive for COVID-19.
Stefanski's positive test came amid an outbreak among the team that resulted in more than 20 players being placed on the COVID-19 list ahead of the Browns' Week 15 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders, which was delayed from Saturday to Monday. Altogether, 18 players from Cleveland's active roster remained on the COVID-19 list for the Browns' 16-14 loss, in which special teams coordinator Mike Priefer served as the team's acting head coach and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt called the offensive plays in place of Stefanski.
In addition to Stefanski making his return to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, Cleveland activated tight end Austin Hooper, linebacker Jacob Phillips and kick returner JoJo Natson (practice squad) from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Browns placed rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II on the COVID-19 list, with the following players remaining on the list as of Wednesday afternoon:
- QB Baker Mayfield
- QB Case Keenum
- RB Kareem Hunt
- WR Jarvis Landry
- OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
- OT James Hudson III
- DE Jadeveon Clowney
- DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
- DT Malik McDowell
- LB Mack Wilson Sr.
- LB Tony Fields II
- CB Greg Newsome II
- CB A.J. Green
- CB Troy Hill
- S Grant Delpit
- S Ronnie Harrison Jr.
But while several Browns players have yet to test out of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, many -- including starting quarterback Baker Mayfield -- are vaccinated and will be eligible to return in time for Saturday's kickoff vs. the Packers regardless of their testing status, based on the league's 10-day quarantine period. Laying claim to a 7-7 record, Cleveland finds itself in desperate need of a win vs. 11-3 Green Bay in order to keep pace in the AFC playoff picture.