The Cleveland Browns recover one of their best players for Sunday’s divisional round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Friday, the Browns activated Three-time Pro Bowl goalie Joel Bitonio is not on the team’s reserve / COVID-19 list. Bitonio, who hasn’t missed a regular season game since 2016, was unable to participate in Cleveland’s playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bitonio’s replacement last Sunday was Michael Dunn, a former undrafted rookie who has spent time in the now-demystified Alliance of American Football and XFL. Dunn did not allow pressure while helping Baker Mayfield throw 263 yards and three touchdowns. Dunn also helped pave the way for running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who combined to rush for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
The Browns’ offensive success continued even after Dunn left the game with an injury with 9:47 to go. Dunn’s replacement was Blake So, who met Mayfield in the locker room ahead of last Sunday’s game.
Earlier this week, the Browns also activated cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson off the COVID-19 roster. A former first-round pick, Ward intercepted two assists while shattering 18 others in 12 regular season games. Six-year veteran Johnson has made six starts in 13 regular-season games. Cleveland will also have full-back trainer Keven Stefanski, who was also on the team’s COVID-19 roster in last Sunday’s victory over Pittsburgh.
The Browns are 10-point underdogs against the Chiefs, who went 15-1 in the regular season. Kansas City is trying to qualify for its third consecutive AFC title game. The Browns, a week after winning their first playoff game since 1994, are looking to advance to their first AFC title game since 1989.
