Browns Activate OG Joel Bitonio From Reserve/COVID-19 List

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The Cleveland Browns continue to get healthier as they get closer to their AFC Divisional playoff showdown Sunday afternoon with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Friday morning, the team announced the club has activated guard Joel Bitonio from the reserve/COVID-19 list, giving the team another big boost as they get ready for Sunday's game.

Bitonio missed Sunday night's game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field against the Steelers after being placed on the list.

Despite missing a number of players as well as head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns took advantage of Steelers mistakes, including four interceptions from Ben Roethlisberger, for a 48-37 win, their first postseason victory since the 1994 season.

Losing Bitonio was supposed to be a big blow to the Browns offensive line, ranked first by Pro Football Focus, in the Wild Card matchup against Pittsburgh. He had started every regular season game for the Browns over the last four seasons. He also led the NFL in pass block win rate among guards. However, Michael Dunn took over his spot at left guard and played well.

But now, Bitonio is set to return. Cleveland and the Chiefs will kickoff at 3pm EST Sunday afternoon in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.









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Matt has been a part of the Cleveland Sports landscape working in the media since 1994 when he graduated from broadcasting school. His coverage beats include the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Cavaliers. He's written three books, and won the "2020 AP Sports Stringer Lifetime Service Award."