NFL COVID-19 updates: Giants kicker Graham Gano tests positive; Browns reopen facility
The New York Giants will place kicker Graham Gano on the COVID-19/reserve list after he tested positive on Monday night, a person with knowledge told NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY Network.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
The Giants say they were notified of the positive test for a player, but did not immediately disclose his identity. That player was self-isolated, and the contact tracing process has been initiated. Two close contacts identified are staff members and were told to stay home Tuesday.
The team is on a bye week, but the Quest Diagnositics Training Center in East Rutherford remains open for staff.
The Giants' players were given off Monday following their victory over the Eagles on Sunday. Giants coach Joe Judge was having the players in Tuesday and Wednesday, and then they were scheduled to be off until next Monday for the bye.
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Even before Gano's positive test, all staff (players included) had to stay local to continue daily testing.
Judge will now switch things up and Giants will not have any on-field work. They will have team and position meetings virtually before breaking for the bye week.
Shortly after Sunday's victory, the Giants announced that the 33-year-old Gano had signed a three-year contract extension. The deal is worth a maximum of $14 million with $9.5 million guaranteed.
Gano kicked three extra points and field goals of 35 and 44 yards in the fourth quarter to extend his streak to 20 consecutive made field goal attempts. That ties Aldrick Rosas (2018-19) for the second-longest streak in Giants history. Josh Brown is the recordholder with 29 in a row from 2014-15. Gano has not missed a field goal attempt since a 57-yard try went wide left in Chicago in Week 2.
By Art Stapleton, NorthJersey.com
Washington has positive test from player
The Washington Football Team announced Tuesday that the team learned Monday night that a player, who was not identified by the organization, had tested positive for COVID-19.
The player has begun self-isolating and Washington has entered the NFL's intensive protocols. The team will hold its meetings virtually this week.
Washington had not had a player test positive for COVID-19 during the season until Monday.
Browns reopen facility after no close contacts identified
The Browns reopened their Berea headquarters Tuesday morning after establishing no high-risk close contacts of fullback Andy Janovich had been identified.
The team announced the reopening of its training facility and the absence of close contacts after contact tracing had been completed.
Janovich was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday after testing positive for the virus.
The Browns had closed their facility Monday as a result of the positive test result.
On Friday, backup offensive lineman Chris Hubbard became the first Browns player to test positive since August, when a few of them did so early in training camp.
No close contacts of Hubbard were identified, either.
The Browns (6-3) will remain in intensive protocols this week as they prepare for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles (3-5-1). Those protocols shorten the time players spend in club headquarters and require them to wear a mask or face shield during practices.
By Nate Ulrich, Beacon Journal
