GENERAL NEWS

Browns’ Kevin Stefanski positive for COVID-19, out of playoff game

Jan 5, 2021, 9:59 AM

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during the second half of an NFL football game...

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

(AP Photo/David Richard)

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns will play their first playoff game since 2002 without first-year coach Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after leading the team back to the postseason.

The Browns said special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach Sunday while Stefanski is away.

The team announced Stefanski’s positive result on Tuesday and said two other unidentified players and two more coaching staff members — tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard — tested positive as well.

According to NFL rules, anyone testing positive must sit out at least 10 days.

League spokesman Brian McCarthy said there is no change to the status of Sunday night’s game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. He added the league is continuing to conduct standard contact tracing to identify any possible high-risk close contacts.

“If any players or personnel are identified as such, they would remain apart from the team and facilities for five days from the last exposure to a positive individual,” McCarthy said in an email to The Associated Press. “They would be eligible to return to the team and play in the game.”

It’s a major blow to the Browns (11-5), who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons on Sunday with a 24-22 win over Pittsburgh — ending the league’s longest playoff drought. They’ll play the Steelers again this week in the first round of the AFC playoffs.

Cleveland has been hit hard by the virus. The Browns were without six players, including top cornerback Denzel Ward, and three assistant coaches last weekend for their biggest game in years after a rash of positive tests.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

ASU...

Damon Allred

ASU can’t get stops late as 2OT marathon at No. 12 Texas Tech slips away

ASU couldn't get the requisite stops late, letting a potential signature win slip through its fingertips to fall 111-106 at No. 12 Texas Tech in double overtime.

2 hours ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns put up fight, lose steam vs. Rockets

The Phoenix Suns fought like hell in Wednesday's 119-111 loss to the Houston Rockets, an admirable effort so shorthanded but still a performance when their key problems persisted.

2 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Does Devin Booker need to do more when Kevin Durant is not on the floor?

Does Devin Booker need to do more when Kevin Durant is not on the floor? Kellan Olson debates with Gambo on Burns & Gambo.

8 hours ago

The Arizona Cardinals announced a handful of coaching staff changes on Wednesday...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals undergoing even more coaching staff changes in 2025

The Arizona Cardinals continue to tweak their coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season with new hires and promotions from within.

8 hours ago

Diamondbacks...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks would like to name closer by end of spring training, still looking to add

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said his bullpen is one of Arizona's best since he arrived, but there are major decisions over the next six weeks. 

9 hours ago

Drey Jameson...

Alex Weiner

D-backs RHP Drey Jameson confident he’ll be ready for Opening Day

After missing an entire season, Diamondbacks pitcher Drey Jameson hopped back on the mound in front of fans on Day 1 of spring training.

10 hours ago

Browns’ Kevin Stefanski positive for COVID-19, out of playoff game