Browns activate 5 starters among 8 coming off COVID-19 list

The Cleveland Browns are working to get their whole team back for the last two games of the season. The Browns still have a chance at an AFC North championship with two wins and losses for the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals and Ravens are underdogs in their games so Cleveland may control their own destiny very quickly despite a season full of struggle.

Getting as many players back from the reserve/COVID-19 list as well as healthy could be the key for the finishing games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Bengals.

Monday, the team activated eight players, five of them starters:

• DE Jadeveon Clowney

• G Drew Forbes

• S Ronnie Harrison Jr.

• CB Troy Hill

• RB Kareem Hunt

• DT Malik McDowell

• T Jedrick Wills Jr.

• LB Mack Wilson

Hunt and Hill were dealing with injuries when they were placed on the COVID list so their returns to the field for this week are more up in the air.

The team also placed LB Elijah Lee on the reserve/COVID-19 list while taking S Nate Meadors off the practice squad/COVID-19 list.

The Browns still have a few key players on the list as of Monday:

• C J.C. Tretter

• CB Greg Newsome II

• OL Alex Taylor

• K Chase McLaughlin

• DT Jordan Elliott

• LB Tony Fields

Nick Harris played well in Tretter’s place but against the Steelers the veteran’s presence could be missed. Newsome has played well as a rookie but getting Hill back at least helps the cornerback room. McLaughlin’s struggles have been frustrating all season but Chris Naggar’s miss Saturday was a huge part of the team’s struggles as they chased points.

We will keep you updated on all roster moves as they come in advance of the key Week 17 matchup with Pittsburgh.