Browns coach Kevin Stefanski's cool, composed demeanor will serve the team well in times of stress, like today. (Yardbarker)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
After learning they would be without their top four receivers, two starting linebackers and their starting left tackle, the Browns held a walk-through Sunday morning at 8:15 in the parking garage adjacent to their hotel.
“It’s, what, 15 degree temperatures. That’s not something we usually do on a game day, but that’s what’s required this week, so that’s what we did,” coach Kevin Stefanski said on Cleveland Browns Game Day on 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The unflappable coach chalked up the news of his player losses to the bizarre year that 2020 has been since the pandemic hit in March.
“I think we have a bunch of problem-solvers on our coaching staff,” Stefanski said. “Once we knew of the news, we huddled up and said, ‘Alright, who’s available to us? What do we have to modify, what do we have to add?’ And then really work hard to get the guys up to speed.
"It’s nothing new. It’s 2020, and you gotta be ready to go."
Before departing for New Jersey on Saturday, the Browns learned they would be without linebacker B.J. Goodson, who tested positive for the coronavirus, and that receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones, and linebacker Jacob Phillips were identified as close contacts. They were all ruled out of the game.
And then this morning, left tackle Jedrick Wills, who missed the practice week in quarantine but was cleared to travel in a separate plane from the full team, was downgraded to out because of illness.
The Browns elevated two receivers from their practice squad – Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies – to join Marvin Hall as the only eligible receivers for the game. Also, linebacker Montrel Meander and center Javon Patterson were brought up from the practice squad for depth.
Of the receivers, only Willies has caught a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield – and that came in 2018.
“At wide receiver, we have guys that were at practice, went through the walk-throughs, maybe didn’t get the reps, but they have a pretty good understanding of what they’re doing,” Stefanski.
Of course, he still has the best rushing duo in the NFL in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, plus four tight ends who have been a large part of the offensive scheme all season.
Stefanski also said that seldom-used Tae Davis would receive increased snaps at the middle linebacker position in place of Goodson.
"We play so many linebackers throughout the games, throughout the season, so we’ve gotten some valuable reps," he said. "I think you’ll see Tae Davis getting more reps as that MIKE linebaker. We’re counting on everybody. That’s where I’m glad to have been developing these guys, working these guys, throughout the season."