CLEVELAND — With their regular-season finale just five days away, the Cleveland Browns have placed running back D'Ernest Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Per the NFL's rules, so long as Johnson is asymptomatic, he would be eligible to return for Sunday's matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns also placed safety Jovante Moffatt on the practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list.
Johnson's addition to the COVID-19 list comes at the tail end of a season in which he's received regular playing time due to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt each missing games due to injuries and COVID. Most famously, the third-year running back rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries while getting the start in Cleveland's 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 7.
Backing up Chubb on Monday, Johnson rushed for 13 yards on five carries in the Browns' 26-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Cleveland having already been eliminated from postseason contention with a 7-9 record, Johnson figures to factor prominently into the Browns' game plan on Sunday. Chubb received just 12 carries vs. the Steelers on Monday, with head coach Kevin Stefanski revealing after the game that the three-time Pro Bowl running back had been battling an injury to his ribs.
In addition to placing Johnson and Moffatt on the COVID-19 lists, the Browns made the following moves on Tuesday:
Activated from reserve/COVID-19:
LB Elijah Lee
Waived:
QB Kyle Lauletta
Waived from reserve/COVID-19:
T Alex Taylor
Signed to practice squad:
TE Nick Guggemos
Restored to practice squad from practice squad/COVID-19:
QB Nick Mullens
S Tedric Thompson
Placed on practice squad/COVID-19:
S Jovante Moffatt