Wyatt Teller active for Steelers game, Myles Garrett eyes sack record, Denzel Ward,

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns have a chance to overcome all their adversity of the last two weeks and snap their 17-season playoff drought against the Steelers today at FirstEnergy Stadium.

It’s been another difficult COVID-19 week, with Denzel Ward, Malcolm Smith and Harrison Bryant all testing positive and Ward’s replacement, Kevin Johnson, being placed on the virus reserve list late Saturday night either as a close contact or a positive.

The Browns also have three coaches on the COVID-19 reserve list in offensive line coach Bill Callahan, receivers coach Chad O’Shea and assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters.

Some pre-game notes:

1. Wyatt Teller is active vs. the Steelers

In a perfect world, Teller would’ve sat out this game with his high ankle sprain, but it’s go-time and he’ll play. Teller has missed three games with the sprained ankle suffered against the Ravens Dec. 14th, and he might not be 100% today.

But even 80% of Teller is better than most guards. Besides, the Steelers will rest Pro Bowlers T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward today, so Teller won’t have to contend with them.

Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who missed the Jets game because of a flu-like illness that wasn’t COVID-19, is back to himself this week.

2. Myles Garrett can set the team sack record and strengthen his case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

With Mason Rudolph starting the game and Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey resting, Garrett could have a monster day. He had his best game agains the Jets last week since returning from COVID-19, and would’ve had a strip-sack had the official not blown the whistle too soon.

He’s No. 6 in the NFL with 12 sacks, but is only three shy of NFL leader Watt, who’s sitting out this game. With a strip-sack or two, Garrett can make a strong case for himself for the coveted NFL Defensive Player of the Year award that he missed out on last season.

He also needs only 2.5 sacks to reach another goal of breaking the Browns’ sack record of 14 set by Reggie Camp in 1984.

Named captain for this game, Garrett expects to be lights out today and possibly achieve some individual goals en route to helping the Browns make the playoffs.

3. Denzel Ward might have to miss the playoff game

The Browns are hoping they’ll have Ward back for the playoff game next weekend if they make it, but he’ll be cutting it close regardless of whether or not the game is on Saturday or Sunday. Ward has to isolate for a minimum of 10 days from when he first reported symptoms or when his test was administered, and then he must pass the cardiac screening and be cleared for action.

He was placed on the list late Thursday afternoon, so it’s not yet known if his positive test was administered Wednesday or Thursday. That could make a difference depending on whether or not he’s symptomatic.

To make matters worse, his replacement, Kevin Johnson, was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list on Saturday night. Because the news came in so late, Johnson could be a close contact, meaning he’d have a decent chance of being back for the playoff game next weekend.

But the Browns will be challenged in the secondary Sunday with Ward, Johnson and Andrew Sendejo (positive for COVID-19) all out.

4. OL coach Bill Callahan iffy too

The Browns will also likely have to be without Callahan in the playoffs if they make it. Callahan, who was feeling fine on Friday night, tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, and must isolate for 10 days. That would keep him at home during a playoff game on Saturday or Sunday. His assistant o-line coach, Scott Peters, was a close contact, and will probably be available for a playoff game.

The Browns are hoping to have receivers coach/passing game coordinator Chad O’Shea back for the playoffs. He tested positive on Wednesday and his 10-day minimum would expire on Friday.

On Sunday, Callahan won’t be on hand to help the Browns adjust to whatever the Steelers’ sophisticated front throws at them.

5. The NFL has given the Brown good feedback

The NFL has applauded the Browns for the handling of their COVID-19 crisis over the past two weeks. The league has told the Browns that most of the positive tests were beyond their control and that they’ve been going above and beyond the call of duty with adhering to protocols.

The only missteps came in the days leading up to the Jets game, when a couple of players didn’t have their masks on properly in the recovery pool area, where they came in contact with linebacker B.J. Goodson. The rest of the positives came from outside the facility, and the contacts were mostly contained.

6. Nick Chubb can go over 1,000

Running back coach Stump Mitchell was confident that both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt would both go over 1,000 yards this season, but at least Chubb should accomplish the feat Sunday. He has 959 yards and needs 41 for his second career 1,000-yard season and second straight.

Hunt has 804 yards and would be hard-pressed to reach 1,000 today.

Chubb would have three straight,…