Browns won’t have CB Denzel Ward, but activate three for Wild Card round

The Cleveland Browns will get back TE Harrison Bryant, LB Malcolm Smith and S Ronnie Harrison from the COVID-19 list, but will be without CB Denzel Ward and CB Kevin Johnson, who remain on the COVID-19 list and won’t be cleared for the first round of the playoffs, per Tom Withers.

Ward is a big part of the Cleveland Browns pass defense and the Pittsburgh Steelers are a pass happy team. Ward has been dealing with a calf injury that kept him out four games, but he was able to return in Week 15 and would have been ready to go if not on the COVID-19 list.

The Browns will also be without their head coach, Kevin Stefanski. He has also been placed on the COVID-19 list and will not be allowed communications with the team during the game as well as 90 minutes before. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will take over play-calling for their Wild Card matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night.