J.C. Tretter
FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2020 file photo, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, right, speak with quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, in Las Vegas. The NFL has fined the New Orleans Saints $500,000 and stripped them of a 2021 seventh-round draft pick for violating league COVID-19 protocols, a person with direct knowledge of the discipline told The Associated Press on Sunday, Nov. 29. New Orleans was fined as a repeat offender; Payton previously was docked $150,000 and the team $250,000 because the head coach failed to properly wear a face covering against the Raiders in Week 2. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken, File)
On Football: Getting to January a major challenge for NFL

By Barry Wilner 13 hrs ago

Cleveland Browns long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) stands on the sideline against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns were forced to place three more players, including starting right tackle Jack Conklin, kicker Cody Parkey, and longsnapper Charley Hughlett on the COVID-19 list Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, as they prepare for this week's home game against Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns place 3 more on COVID list, Garrett kept home "sick"

By Tom Withers Nov. 18, 2020 12:44 PM EST

File-This Sept. 17, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) blocking during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland. The Browns placed Hubbard on the COVID-19 list after shutting down their facility and delaying practice to do contact tracing, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns place Hubbard on COVID list, game against Texans on

By Tom Withers Nov. 13, 2020 03:33 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) leaves the field for halftime during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. From the season-altering (Dak Prescott, Saquon Barkley) to the bizarre (Taylor, Trent Brown), injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
From season-altering to bizarre, injuries hit NFL yet again

By Schuyler Dixon Nov. 10, 2020 03:21 AM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders line up as snow falls during an NFL football game in Cleveland. Browns center JC Tretter, president of the players' union, has called for all NFL stadiums to put in natural grass fields; this season, 17 stadiums have it, while 13 have synthetic surfaces. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
On Football: Keeping NFL playing surfaces safe, grass or not

By Barry Wilner Nov. 06, 2020 01:48 PM EST

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr throws during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns 11/1/2020

Nov. 01, 2020 01:42 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is chased by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Browns star, league sack leader Garrett not practicing

By Tom Withers Oct. 28, 2020 01:05 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) tries to recover from a sack as teammates offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (71), offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) and center JC Tretter (64) look on during an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Browns 38-7. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
With flak flying back home, Browns visit struggling Bengals

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 22, 2020 04:12 PM EDT

Fans line up before the gates open at Heinz Field for an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers 10/18/2020

Oct. 18, 2020 11:42 AM EDT

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson (30) attempts to break the grasp of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith (54) after running the ball for a first down in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. The Cowboys' Antwaun Woods (99) and the Browns' JC Tretter (64) look on during the play. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Chubb's knee injury will test Browns' depth, legitimacy

By Tom Withers Oct. 05, 2020 05:00 PM EDT

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) jogs onto the field for warmups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys 10/4/2020

Oct. 04, 2020 12:30 PM EDT

Members of the Tennessee Titans take part in the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. The NFL says the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings are suspending in-person activities after the Titans had three players test positive for the coronavirus, along with five other personnel. The league says both clubs are working closely with the NFL and the players’ union on tracing contacts, more testing and monitoring developments. The Titans are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Virus outbreak pushes Steelers-Titans to Monday or Tuesday

By Teresa M. Walker Sep. 30, 2020 12:59 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) is driven off the field after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. After losing four players to knee injuries last week against the New York Jets, the Niners complained about a “sticky” new turf at MetLife Stadium and expressed some concern about returning to the same field a week later. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
NFLPA asking teams to change all fields to natural grass

By The Associated Press Sep. 30, 2020 12:51 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) rushes for a 1-yard touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, in Cleveland. The Browns won 35-30. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns showcase offense's huge potential in bounce-back win

By Tom Withers Sep. 18, 2020 03:55 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr., right, and Jack Conklin work on a drill during practice at the NFL football team's training camp facility, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Browns tackle Conklin not starting against Bengals

By Tom Withers Sep. 17, 2020 07:20 PM EDT

No. 3 draft pick Jeff Okudah among Sunday's inactive players

By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2020 12:54 PM EDT
The Detroit Lions are without rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah, the third overall pick in the NFL draft, for their opener against the Chicago Bears. ...

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, left, gets ready to hit Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, second from left, with a helmet during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Browns star defensive end can't undo his helmet-swinging attack on Rudolph last season or the six-game NFL suspension that ensued. That damage is done and irreparable. But he isn't going to let the incident define him, and as he prepares for his fourth season, he's not worried about any outside perceptions of him as a person or player. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
On edge: Browns' Garrett returns after NFL suspension

By Tom Withers Sep. 11, 2020 04:00 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, left, talks to quarterback Baker Mayfield before an NFL football scrimmage at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. The Browns will make their debut against the Cleveland Browns under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski, hired in January after Cleveland stumbled to a 6-10 record in 2019. The Browns are counting on Mayfield to bounce back, and his teammates have noticed his renewed commitment and focus. (Joshua Gunter/Cleveland.com via AP, File)
Division rivals Ravens, Browns confront 'unknowns' in opener

By David Ginsburg Sep. 10, 2020 05:49 PM EDT

AFC North rivals Browns, Ravens open season in empty stadium

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 11:49 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (6-10) at BALTIMORE (14-3) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS OPENING LINE - Ravens by 10 SERIES...

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up for the NFL football team's scrimmage Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Cleveland. (Joshua Gunter/Cleveland.com via AP)
No excuses: Mayfield turns page on 2019, focused for Browns

By Tom Withers Sep. 09, 2020 03:57 PM EDT