Khadarel Hodge
FILE - Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (98) works during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Atlanta, in this Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, file photo. Looking to bolster their pass rush to complement All-Pro Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns plan to sign free agent Takkarist McKinley, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
AP source: Browns to sign DE McKinley to help Garrett

By Tom Withers Mar. 16, 2021 03:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III runs during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif. As the market for top-tier edge rushers shrunk early in NFL free agency, the Cleveland Browns agreed to terms with Johnson, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
AP source: Browns signing S Johnson, edge rushers elusive

By Tom Withers Mar. 15, 2021 05:13 PM EDT

Browns expected to upgrade shaky defense in free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:54 PM EST
CLEVELAND BROWNS (12-6) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Olivier Vernon, WRs Rashard Higgins and Taywan Taylor, CBs Terrance Mitchell and Kevin...

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) celebrates on the sideline during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Browns' Hunt set for emotional, playoff reunion with Chiefs

By Tom Withers Jan. 14, 2021 05:56 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Positive COVID-19 tests have knocked Stefanski out of Cleveland's wild-card game at Pittsburgh on Sunday night — the Browns' first playoff appearance since the 2002 season. (AP Photo/Justin Berl, File)
Stefanski out of basement, back with Browns after COVID-19

By Tom Withers Jan. 14, 2021 09:45 AM EST

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
The Latest: Michigan State-Iowa basketball game postponed

By The Associated Press Jan. 13, 2021 11:11 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Off sofa, Browns' Stefanski to return after playoff absence

By Tom Withers Jan. 11, 2021 05:22 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) stretches for yardage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns get back 3, not top corner Denzel Ward for Steelers

By Tom Withers Jan. 09, 2021 12:28 PM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns finally practice, roster still unsettled for Steelers

By Tom Withers Jan. 08, 2021 02:38 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns don't practice again as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on team

By Tom Withers Jan. 07, 2021 11:45 AM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Positive COVID-19 tests have knocked Stefanski out of Cleveland's wild-card game at Pittsburgh on Sunday night — the Browns' first playoff appearance since the 2002 season. (AP Photo/Justin Berl, File)
Browns' Stefanski: 'We've got to find a way' vs Steelers

By Tom Withers Jan. 06, 2021 12:53 PM EST

Cleveland Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon is helped off the field after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns place Vernon on IR, 2 players cited for drag racing

By Tom Withers Jan. 05, 2021 04:51 PM EST

El quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland Baker Mayfield celebra la victoria ante los Steelers de Pittsburgh, el domingo 3 de enero de 2021. (AP Foto/David Richard)
Cruel twist: Browns lose coach for playoffs due to COVID-19

By Tom Withers Jan. 05, 2021 11:28 AM EST

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski keeps watch before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Cleveland. After days of positive COVID-19 tests, disruptions and delays, the Browns found some normalcy and got to re-open their facility on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, to resume getting ready to play the Pittsburgh Steelers and possibly end a postseason drought stretching back to 2002.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Browns lose another defender, CB Johnson added to COVID list

By Tom Withers Jan. 02, 2021 03:15 PM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Browns lose CB Ward for Steelers game after positive test

By Tom Withers Dec. 31, 2020 10:55 AM EST

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 23-16. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Mayfield: Browns 'in our playoffs, just one week early'

By Tom Withers Dec. 30, 2020 01:29 PM EST

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns strong safety Andrew Sendejo (23) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) after a pass reception during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns added starting safety Andrew Sendejo and rookie tight end Harrison Bryant to their lengthy COVID-19 list, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Browns add 3 more players to crowded COVID-19 reserve list

By Tom Withers Dec. 29, 2020 05:45 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns middle linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) celebrates after the Browns defeated the Indianapolis Colts 32-23 during an NFL football game, in Cleveland. The Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without starting linebacker B.J. Goodson, who will miss the game on Sunday, Dec. 27, against the New York Jets after testing positive for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
The Latest: Arizona State men's basketball game postponed

By The Associated Press Dec. 29, 2020 01:44 PM EST

Cleveland Browns' Malcolm Smith (56) tackles New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Browns fumble away first shot at playoffs amid wild weekend

By Tom Withers Dec. 28, 2020 05:40 PM EST

New York Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers (91) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Browns' COVID contact players eligible to return Thursday

By Tom Withers Dec. 28, 2020 01:30 PM EST