CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns long snapper Charley Hughlett was cleared to return to the team's facility Thursday morning, a day after it was announced he would be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Hughlett did not end up being placed on the list after all and was instead held out of practice Wednesday as a precaution.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said that players were preparing for the scenario of Hughlett being unable to play on Sunday, with linebacker Mack Wilson practicing to be the fill-in long snapper—a contingency plan that will no longer be required.
Tackle Jack Conklin and kicker Cody Parkey were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.
Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer said that he's hopeful Parkey will be cleared in time for Sunday's game, but if he's unavailable, Matt McCrane will be ready to fill in.
As for Conklin, Stefanski said that tackle Kendall Lamm would be available to fill in if he's unable to play on Sunday.
The Browns have had two players test positive for COVID-19, and before placing Conklin and Parkey on the list had placed fullback Andy Janovich and guard Chris Hubbard on the list following the closure of the facility to conduct contact tracing.
The reserve/COVID-19 list was 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.
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.
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