Landry, Higgins among Browns players coming off COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns are set to welcome back multiple players from the COVID-19 list.

Wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donavan Peoples-Jones, KhaDarel Hodge, and linebacker Jacob Phillips were activated off the reserve group Thursday, the team announced.

All four players missed the Browns' upset loss to the New York Jets in Week 16 but are now set to appear in a crucial season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, Cleveland won't have cornerback Denzel Ward for the win-and-in game Sunday, according to Jake Trotter of ESPN. The team placed Ward and linebacker Malcolm Smith on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Smith and tight end Harrison Bryant tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, forcing the Browns to close their facility for the second straight day, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Cleveland needs to defeat the Steelers in order to clinch a playoff appearance but the team risks missing out with a loss. COVID-19 issues have also made preparations for the contest much more complicated.

Safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo were also placed on the COVID-19 list Tuesday, putting their status in jeopardy for Week 17 as well.

The Browns are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2002 and end the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.

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