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Published 22:30 IST, January 5th 2021

Browns close facility again after head coach entered COVID-19 protocols

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Cleveland's first playoff game since 2002.Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be Cleveland’s acting coach Sunday while Stefanski is away.

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Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Cleveland's first playoff game since 2002.

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be Cleveland’s acting coach Sunday while Stefanski is away.

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The team announced Stefanski's positive result on Tuesday and said two other unidentified players and two more coaching staff members - tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard -tested positive as well. According to NFL rules, anyone testing positive must sit out at least 10 days.

It's a major blow to the Browns (11-5), who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons on Sunday with a 24-22 win over Pittsburgh. They'll play the Steelers again this week in the first round of the AFC playoffs.

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Cleveland has been hit hard by the virus. The Browns were without six players and three coaches last weekend for their biggest game in years after a rash of positive tests.

(IMAGE CREDITS:Twitter/@KevinStefanski2)

22:30 IST, January 5th 2021