The Cleveland Browns announced Sunday they have placed running back Dontrell Hilliard and safety Jovante Moffatt on the reserve/COVID-19* list.
Hilliard and Moffatt are among the first six NFL players to land on the new list.
“This new reserve list category was created for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons,” a news release on the Browns’ website states. “If a player falls into either of these categories, their club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Per agreed upon NFL-NFLPA policy, clubs are not permitted to comment on player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.”
We've placed 2 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list
📰» https://t.co/xtqYIx7oBs pic.twitter.com/yahgWIhI9J
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 26, 2020
Cleveland Browns have placed RB Dontrell Hilliard and S Jovante Moffatt on reserve/COVID-19*, the team announced.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2020
An unnamed source told ESPN the other four players are Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jon’Vea Johnson, Baltimore Ravens defensive back Nigel Warrior, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Kendall Futrell and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Aleva Hifo.
Browns rookies, quarterbacks and injured players reported for training camp last week and began testing for COVID-19 immediately.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported players are tested three times in the span of four days and can enter the team facility on the fifth day if they test negative.
Although Hilliard is headed into his third year as a pro, he reported to training camp early because he finished last season on injured reserve.
During the Week 16 matchup against the Ravens, Hilliard suffered a knee injury.
Hilliard also missed last season’s Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets.
More positive COVID-19 tests should be expected because the rest of the Browns players are scheduled to report to camp on Tuesday.
Those players will start testing immediately.
Hilliard, 25, has appeared in 25 games since joining the Browns in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane.
In 2019, Hilliard appeared in 14 games, rushed for 49 yards, two touchdowns and led the team in kickoff return yards (421).
Moffatt, 23, joined the Browns on May 5 as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State.
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