Report: Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton test positive for COVID-19; uncertain for Sunday vs Patriots

Cleveland Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton have tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Browns’ RBs Nick Chubb and Demetric Felton tested positive for COVID-19, sources tell ESPN.

Both players are vaccinated, thus their status for Sunday’s game against New England remains in question. Each player would need two negative tests 24 hours apart to play.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2021

Both Chubb and Felton, who are fully vaccinated, must immediately isolate from the team but can rejoin the team if they remain symptom-free and have two negative tests 24 hours apart. If symptomatic, they must remain isolated until symptomatic for 48 hours and have two negative tests.

With a backfield that already misses Kareem Hunt due to a calf injury (as well as rusher John Kelly, who was placed on the team’s COVID list on Monday), the Browns’ running back core on the active roster may list only D’Ernest Johnson for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

ESPN’s Jake Trotter reported that Johnson (who is vaccinated) has tested negative for COVID-19, although Johnson will be subject to daily testing this week following a concentrated group of positives.

There is no such thing as a close contact for somebody who is vaccinated this season (h/t @SeifertESPN). But NFL will ask teams to increase protocols after a concentrated group of positives. That will apply to D’Ernest this week, per source, who will be subject to daily testing https://t.co/WXmKPLogpc

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) November 9, 2021

The Browns (5-4) are coming off a 41-16 victory this past Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. They will face 5-4 New England, who won 24-6 over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.