Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski cleared COVID-19 protocols and rejoined the team for practice Wednesday.
Stefanski tested positive last week and missed Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer took over as acting head coach in a 16-14 loss.
Cleveland (7-7) has a short week before visiting the Green Bay Packers (11-3) on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to getting Stefanski back, the Browns activated tight end Austin Hooper and linebacker Jacob Phillips off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Hooper has 33 catches for 291 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games this season, and Phillips has three tackles in one game.
Cleveland placed rookie cornerback Greg Newsome on the COVID list. The first-round pick has 26 tackles and seven passes defensed in 10 games (nine starts).
The Browns also waived punter Jamie Gillan from the reserve/COVID-19 list and restored wideout JoJo Natson back to the practice squad after he was forced to miss time because of COVID.
Gillan averaged 43.9 yards per punt in 12 games this season but the Browns will stick with veteran Dustin Colquitt, who has averaged 42.4 yards per punt in two games with the team.
–Field Level Media
