CLEVELAND — Editor’s note: the video in the player above is from a story that ran on Jan. 4, 2021.
When the Cleveland Browns take the field for their first playoff game in 18 years, they’ll do so without their longest tenured player, with Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reporting that left guard Joel Bitonio has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will miss this weekend’s Wild Card round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Per Pelissero, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge has also tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday’s game.
We were informed this morning that Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, two additional members of the coaching staff and two players have tested positive for COVID-19.
Our contingency planning calls for Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer to serve as the acting Head Coach. pic.twitter.com/Mhh9Zt1e4d
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 5, 2021
More on this story as it develops.