BEREA, Ohio — After testing negative for COVID-19 a day earlier, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with an unknown illness.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, however, said Friday that Beckham is “doing better” after being sent home Thursday and was optimistic that Beckham will be able to play.
“He got some good work Wednesday, [and] he’s been in meetings virtually,” Stefanski said of Beckham, who missed practices Thursday and Friday. “I think there’s enough time to catch him up, barring his health.”
Stefanski said Beckham would be able to return to the practice facility Saturday with another negative COVID-19 test result. From there, the team would consider travel options for Beckham, including driving him there in a vehicle separate from the rest of the team.
Baker Mayfield also was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with a chest injury that he suffered last weekend against Indianapolis. But after being limited earlier this week, Mayfield was throwing in Friday’s practice and Stefanski said his quarterback was “trending in the right direction.”
“He’s improving every day,” Stefanski said. “We want to make sure we’re safe as this goes. Use all these hours for treatment and see how he responds.”
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry also was listed as questionable with a hip and rib injury that had kept him from practicing until Friday.
“He’s also progressing. He’s a very, very tough dude,” Stefanski said of Landry, who hasn’t missed a game in his seven-year NFL career. “Spent a lot of time in the training room getting his body right, making a push for Sunday like he always does.”
The Browns (4-1) are off to their best start since 1994 and on Sunday will be aiming to defeat the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the first time in 17 years.
Cleveland will be without starting right guard Wyatt Teller (calf) and safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. (concussion), who had a pick-six against the Colts. Both players were injured against Indianapolis.
