Browns wait for Bitonio, Ward, lose backups to injuries

CLEVELAND — As the Browns anxiously wait for Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and top cornerback Denzel Ward to return from covid-19 and join their playoff run, the team lost their replacements to injuries.

Cleveland placed guard Michael Dunn and cornerback Robert Jackson on injured reserve Tuesday, losing two players who started Sunday’s playoff win at Pittsburgh while Bitonio and Ward remain sidelined with the virus.

Dunn injured his calf during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 48-37 wild-card win, and Jackson suffered a hamstring injury. Both are done for the season and won’t play in this week’s game against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s not yet known if or when Bitonio and/or Ward will be back. Bitonio tested positive last week along with coach Kevin Stefanski. They both were back in Cleveland when the Browns stunned the Steelers for their first postseason win in 26 years.

Ward tested positive for covid-19 on Dec. 31 and was eligible to return last week but wasn’t ready. Compounding his absence is cornerback Kevin Johnson, who has made six starts this season, is also out with covid-19.

Stefanski said Monday he expects to rejoin his team Thursday. He watched Sunday’s game from his basement at home.

The Browns miss Ward badly. He usually is assigned to the opponents’ top receiver, and without him, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shredded Cleveland’s secondary, passing for 501 yards — but throwing four interceptions.

Dunn gave the Browns a huge lift against the Steelers.

Although he had been on the field for only one play previously, Dunn played well as Cleveland’s offensive line kept Baker Mayfield from being sacked.

“I will single out Michael Dunn. I thought he was outstanding,” Stefanski said Monday. “Really, really great in his technique, in his effort, in his assignment.”

Dunn didn’t get in much practice time before last week’s game as the Browns had to close their facility for three days for contact tracing.

When Dunn got hurt against the Steelers, the Browns turned to backup Blake Hance to help them finish off their first road playoff win since 1969. Hance signed last week after spending the season on the New York Jets’ practice squad.

Mayfield didn’t meet Hance until before the game in the locker room at Heinz Field. On Monday, Stefanski said he had yet to have any contact with Hance.