Browns close facility and delay flight after positive COVID-19 test

The Browns are dealing with a positive COVID-19 test and must now conduct contact tracing one day before their Week 16 game.

The Cleveland Browns were all set to board the plane Saturday and head to New Jersey ahead of the Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets.

Unfortunately, the team revealed that a player has tested positive for COVID-19 and the flight is delayed as contact tracing is conducted.

Browns dealing with COVID

This is terrible news one day before a game. The details are scarce right now and the hope is the player who did test positive was not around too many people in the facility. Of course, everyone’s health is also a concern. Myles Garrett still has lasting effects from his bout with COVID-19 and keeping it out of the facility remains a top priority.

We want to avoid speculating as much as possible until more details emerge on the situation. One thing we have seen this year is games be moved back a day or two, which is always a possibility. However, that does get more difficult considering next Sunday is the final day of the regular season.

The Browns are 10-4 and have the chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win against the Jets. After that comes a Week 17 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers that could be for the AFC North division if the Browns win this week and the Steelers lose. But what if the Browns have to push back this Jets game? Will Week 17’s game be moved too?

All these questions immediately come to mind, but there is no point in panicking just yet. The team needs to conduct the contact tracing and hopefully the strict protocols mean the team can play as scheduled. We will all hopefully know more soon.