CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns placed fullback Andy Janovich on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list Monday after the team announced that a player had received a positive COVID-19 test, forcing the facility to close while contact tracing was conducted.
The team closed the facility after receiving the positive test results early Monday morning.
Janovich was placed on the list, 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, shortly after the Browns announced the facilities were reopening.
The fullback played during Sunday's game against the Houston Texans at FirstEnergy Stadium. He played 15 offensive snaps and 11 special teams snaps.
The Browns are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status and may not disclose whether a player is in quarantine or has tested positive for COVID-19, per the NFL and NFLPA policy.
On Friday, a player tested positive for COVID-19 and the facility was closed for several hours while contact tracing was conducted.
The team later placed Chris Hubbard on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
“That is the world we live in right now, and we are ready to do whatever is necessary to keep everybody safe, first and foremost — keep our coaches, players and staff safe,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “That is really where our mentality is. While doing that, we still have to prepare and get ready to play.”
The Browns (6-3) host the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday.
Cleveland had avoided any issues with the virus until last week when the team put quarterback Baker Mayfield on the COVID-19 list after he had close contact with an unidentified infected staffer. Mayfield missed one on-field practice before returning Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi said dealing with the virus has become part of every player’s daily routine.
“You can’t complain about it. You can’t cry about it, you have to just handle your business,” he said. “You are going to have to be flexible. You are going to have to do things that you normally would not have to do. And once again, this is shared responsibility.
“It is going to take an entire team in order to get it done. COVID is very serious, it is was something that we take very seriously.”
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