Browns return to practice after recording no new positives

The Cleveland Browns are reopening their facility and returning to practice Friday after recording zero positive results in their latest round of COVID-19 testing, the team announced.

Cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end Harrison Bryant, and linebacker Malcolm Smith were reportedly the latest Cleveland players to test positive for the coronavirus Thursday. Safeties Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo, linebacker B.J. Goodson, and practice-squad center Javon Patterson are also on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The AFC North club has been dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak since Dec. 26. The Browns' top four receivers all missed the team's Week 16 upset loss to the New York Jets after they were deemed high-risk close contacts of an infected player.

Cleveland moved all four receivers - Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and KhaDarel Hodge - off the reserve list Thursday. The team also activated linebacker Jacob Phillips.

The Browns must beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's crucial regular-season finale to secure their first playoff spot since 2002.

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