Browns cornerback Denzel Ward reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, could potentially miss playoff game

The Cleveland Browns face potentially serious COVID-19 issues as they were forced to shut down their facility several times just days before trying to secure a playoff berth in the regular season finals against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Just a day after the club closed and then reopened its facilities due to positive COVID-19 tests on Wednesday, the Browns were again forced to close on Thursday due to more positive tests. One of those positive tests came from an important defensive player, and it knocks him out for this Sunday’s divisional game – and possibly more.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has tested positive for COVID-19 and is due to miss at least 10 days. That obviously rules him out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers, but it could also force him to miss a playoff game if Cleveland clinches a playoff berth. The former No. 4 overall pick has recorded 46 combined tackles, 18 defensive assists and two interceptions in 12 starts this season, and the Browns are sure to miss his away abilities against Mason Rudolph this week. Linebacker Malcolm Smith was also placed on the reserve / COVID-19 list along with Ward.

It wasn’t bad news Thursday, because Browns activated wide receivers Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Jarvis Landry and Donovan Peoples-Jones off reserve / COVID-19 list. They were all forced to miss the Browns’ Week 16 game against the New York Jets, and Baker Mayfield certainly missed them, as he threw just 285 yards and no touchdowns in the 23-16 loss.

The Browns’ path to the playoffs is pretty straightforward, because all they have to do is win Sunday and they’re there. Cleveland is one of the AFC’s five 10-5 teams, and if the Browns lose this week, they would need a loss to the Indianapolis Colts or the Tennessee Titans with wins from the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins to advance to the playoffs. The Steelers have been established to rest their starters on Sunday against the Browns, but if those positive tests continue to emerge, Cleveland could be in trouble.