An unidentified Cleveland Browns player tested positive for Covid-19 this morning.
Contact tracing began immediately and the player isolated himself as soon as results were known.
The Browns continue to meet remotely in preparation for their Week 10 game versus Houston.
Cleveland released a statement verifying the situation this morning:
“Earlier this morning, the Cleveland Browns were informed that a player’s test results have come back positive for COVID-19. The individual has immediately self-isolated and the Browns facility is closed this morning while contact tracing is being conducted. The team will continue to hold meetings remotely (part of the NFL-NFLPA intensive protocol) and will consult with the league and medical experts on the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.
What Happens Now
According to the NFL’s Covid policy, a player who tests positive receives two more tests the same day.
This rules out a false-positive and allows the player to return to the field immediately.
However, if one or the other follow-ups is also positive, that player will miss at least five days of practice/game availability.
Should the player remain asymptomatic, he needs to test negative twice over those 5 days to return to the team.
Otherwise, he could miss ten or more days, even if he never develops symptoms.
Earlier this morning, we were informed that a player’s test results have come back positive for COVID-19.
Our facility is closed this morning while contact tracing is being conducted. pic.twitter.com/vayKqtPf0T
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 13, 2020
Contact Tracing Protocol
Contact tracing determines what other players might have to isolate due to the risk of being an asymptomatic carrier.
Every Browns player wears a special tracking device to ascertain their risk based on proximity to the affected player.
Players deemed high risk have to be isolated and tested over five days, too.
Once the number of close contact players is determined, the league and the team can decide the status of Cleveland’s Week 10 game.
Both the Texans and the Browns already had bye weeks, which would make re-scheduling to another week difficult.
The NFL could move the game to Monday or Tuesday to allow time for any affected players to clear protocols.
Baker Mayfield landed on the Covid list due to a close contact for three days earlier this week.
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