Browns OL coach Bill Callahan back from COVID-19; Kevin Stefanski ‘probable’ for Thursday
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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns are gaining ground on their side battle vs. COVID-19.
On Wednesday, offensive line coach Bill Callahan rejoined the team after missing the past two games with the virus. He was symptomatic, as were receivers coach Chad O’Shea, who returned on Monday, and coach Kevin Stefanski, who kidded that he’s ‘probable’ for Thursday.
The news of Callahan’s return came shortly after the Browns activated cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson from the COVID-19 reserve list. They hope to get left guard Joel Bitonio and receiver KhaDarel Hodge back soon.
The other coaches still out because of COVID-19 are assistant offensive line Scott Peters, tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard.
“We’re looking forward to getting a full complement of guys,” Stefanski said on his Zoom call Wednesday. “Anytime you get good players back whether it be injury or COVID list, it’s always a big boost for your entire team.”
He acknowledged that the Browns will closely watch the COVID-19 players, just as they have Myles Garrett.
“We need to monitor all those guys that are coming off that list,” Stefanski said. “So we’ll be mindful of how they look. We’ll talk to them, get some feedback from them and then work that really day by day and understand where each one of those guys are.”
Here are some other quick hits from his presser:
* Jack Conklin (hamstring), B.J. Goodson (shoulder) and David Njoku (hamstring) will all sit out Wednesday’s practice. All were injured in Sunday’s 48-37 victory over the Steelers. Stefanski said they’re day-to-day and they’’ continue to receive treatment.
* Stefanski noted how hard Kareem Hunt ran against the Steelers on Sunday, and stressed that he’s done that all season long. He knows how much this game means to Hunt considering the Chiefs cut him with five games left in the 2018 season after video of his downtown altercation surfaced.
“He doesn’t want to be denied when he’s got the rock in his hands,’’ Stefanski said. “He loves football. You hear him before you see him.’’
He said Hunt has been exemplary in all of his dealings with him since his misstep in January when he was stopped for speeding.
* Stefanski said the game captains for the postseason will remain the same: Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett and Charley Hughlett, and he can only send one guy to the midfield at the start of the game. It means Hunt won’t get a chance to be a game captain vs. the Chiefs.
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