COVID-19 knocks Browns Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb out of Sunday's game against Patriots

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski declared running backs Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton and John Kelly out for Sunday’s game at New England.

Two-time Pro Bowler Chubb and rookie Felton were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday, while Kelly landed there on Monday.

All would have been required to test negative for two consecutive days to be able to face the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Per league protocols, they can't be activated on Sunday, meaning their second negative test had to come by 4 p.m. Saturday. Stefankski's announcement means the running backs were still symptomatic or tested positive Friday.

D’Ernest Johnson will carry the load at running back against the Patriots. In his third NFL season, Johnson made his first career start and rushed 22 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in a 17-14 home victory over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 21.

The Browns were already without the other half of their 1-2 punch at running back as Kareem Hunt, on injured reserve with a calf strain suffered against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 17, will miss his fourth consecutive game.

“Any position you can look at and say you’re going to get into your depth at some point in the season because that’s the nature of this beast,” Stefanski said Friday. “It’s the next-man-up mentality. The guys have proven to do that over the course of this season, last season. So whoever’s available to us, that’s who we’ll use.”

Asked if fullback Andy Janovich or receiver Jarvis Landry might get some carries against the Patriots, Stefanski said, “A lot of people want some carries on this team. We’ve got plenty of guys and we’ll be able to run our offense.”

The Browns signed running back Brian Hill to the practice squad on Tuesday.

Chubb ranks third in the league in rushing with 721 yards (6.0 average per carry) in seven games. He's scored six rushing touchdowns, recording two, including a 70-yarder, in Sunday's 41-16 victory at Cincinnati.

"I do not think that is arguable at all. I think he is one of the very best running backs in the league," Browns two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett said. "We are going to have his back and fully support him, and he is going to fully support us. He knows that we are going to do our best to keep on pushing our running game and trying to produce like we usually have.

"Of course, it will be different, but it is next man up. Draw up different plays. We will try to do things a little bit differently for the men we have to create big plays rushing the ball. I don't think we will miss a beat because of the guys we have, but it is just different not having such a dominant force out there.”

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Also ruled out was defensive end Takk McKinley (groin), while cornerback Greedy Williams (shoulder) is listed as questionable.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods was “very optimistic” that rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (high right ankle sprain) would be activated off injured reserve and play against the Patriots. But Stefanski was non-committal, perhaps to keep the Patriots in the dark, and said that decision would be made by Saturday’s deadline. Owusu-Koramoah was designated to return from IR on Wednesday.

Center Nick Harris also remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

For the Patriots, linebacker Jamie Collins, who played 30 games for the Browns from 2016-18, is doubtful after missing practice all week with an ankle injury.

Browns' Myles Garrett on underdog Cleveland Cavaliers’ post-game barking: ‘The more the merrier’

The Cavaliers have embraced their role as NBA underdogs, with point guard Darius Garland revealing that he barked in the locker room after a 102-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 5.

“We’re trying to put the league on notice. So coming in as underdogs, I think we’re fine with that," Garland said Wednesday. "That’s where the barking comes in. That’s where you upset other teams and that’s when the barking comes into play.”

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Garrett loves it. Asked how he feels about having two barking teams in Cleveland, he said, “The more the merrier. We’ve got to get the Indians on this next.”

Reminded that the baseball team has changed its name to the Cleveland Guardians, Garrett said, “You’re right, Guardians. Tough.”

Assistant Bill Callahan ribs guard Joel Bitonio for car dealership commercial

The Browns cemented their commitment to the running game this week with contract extensions for left guard Joel Bitonio, their longest-tenured player, and right guard Wyatt Teller that wrapped them up through the 2025 season. Bitonio signed a three-year, $48 million extension on Wednesday, while Teller received a four-year, $48 million deal Tuesday.

When offensive line coach Bill Callahan was asked about both, he couldn’t resist chiding Bitonio for teaming up with right tackle Jack Conklin on a recent television commercial for a Northeast Ohio automobile dealership that drew howls when it was shown at a team meeting.

“They are just really good, solid people and well deserving. The business side is what it is. Hopefully, this will help Bitonio not have to do any more commercials,” Callahan said.

Bitonio’s retort to his teammates’ ribbing was that he needed money for his two children’s college funds.

Asked Thursday if the fund is set now, Bitonio said, “Yeah, the kids can go anywhere. Nevada is No. 1 on their list, of course, but they might be able to apply to a few other schools if they want.” Bitonio was the 35th overall pick out of Nevada in 2014.

Browns General Manager Andrew Berry said in a statement that he hopes three-time Pro Bowler Bitonio can play his entire career in Cleveland and conclude it with his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, a 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle and six-time All-Pro in his 11 seasons with the Browns, agreed with that in a one-on-one interview with the Beacon Journal this week.

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Callahan said he had not considered Bitonio putting on a gold jacket, but said, "I think that's a great goal to have. You've got to put a string of Pro Bowls and All-Pro stature years together and he's certainly on that path. It's a matter of consistency and getting improved and performing at that high level year after year after year like Joe has that makes you that type of candidate.

"I've been fortunate enough to have been around a few guys that have done that and [Bitonio] is certainly right up in there. That's futuristic and I would hate to speculate on that at this point in time, but I'm hopeful that he can reach that goal."

In his 23rd season in the NFL, Callahan pointed to his time with the Dallas Cowboys from 2012-14 as an illustration of his belief that “I don’t think you can ever put enough resources into your line.” The Cowboys drafted offensive Tyron Smith ninth overall in 2011, center Travis Frederick 31st in 2013 and guard Zack Martin 16th in 2014.

“Joel has been a solid player for years, and has elevated his game another notch. Wyatt has elevated his game. That is the market,” Callahan said. “When I was in Dallas, we paid for that line. For any organization that really likes to run the football and has that as a primary function of their offense, I think that is where the resources should go. Not only in the run game is that important, but from a protection standpoint, that even becomes more vital.”

Stefanski congratulated Bitonio, saying, he “has been the consummate pro since I have been here.”

“He is really, really a good football player, but more than that, he is great off of the field and a good family man. We are certainly happy for him and his family,” Stefanski said.

Blake Hance ‘surviving’ at right tackle, Browns Bill Callahan says

All-Pro Conklin was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 6 after dislocating his left elbow in a 15-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 31. Conklin must miss at least three games and has two remaining.

While Conklin is expected to avoid surgery and return this season, the injury has forced guard Blake Hance, an undrafted free agent from Northwestern, into an unfamiliar position. Hance has become the Browns sixth lineman, a role that had been held by Chris Hubbard, out for the season after undergoing triceps surgery.

“He’s a utility guy who really should not be out on the end, but he is really surviving out there,” Callahan said of Hance. “He is giving us good play, especially in the run game, which we obviously love, but in the pass game, he has had his struggles here and there.

“But I do commend him on a lot of levels because we have been so shorthanded. To have him step up and step in at the tackle position has been huge for us. … He has been serviceable. He continues to get better. He works his butt off every day to try to improve. What else can you say? He is just a really tough, smart, hard-nosed guy who loves football, and he has really done a really good job for a guy who really should not be there.”

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/browns. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb out Sunday vs. Patriots