Browns offensive guard Joel Bitonio was recently named to his third straight Pro Bowl. Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports

Browns add Pro Bowl LG Joel Bitonio, WR KhaDarel Hodge to reserve/COVID-19 list

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/5/21

Earlier on Tuesday, reports emerged that three-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge were among the latest Cleveland Browns players to test positive for COVID-19.

The Browns have since placed both on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Additionally, Cleveland added starting defensive end Olivier Vernon and center Nick Harris (knee) to the injured reserve list. Vernon ruptured his Achilles in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and is out for the playoffs.

Cleveland had already confirmed that head coach Kevin Stefanski, two members of the coaching staff and two players tested positive for the coronavirus. Any Browns personnel who test positive won't be available for the Sunday evening playoff clash against Pittsburgh.

While Bitonio was recently named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, Hodge dealt with hamstring issues during the season but returned to the lineup for Week 17 and caught two passes against the Steelers. He was one of four Cleveland receivers who missed the loss to the New York Jets on Dec. 27 because of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.

As noted by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Browns have been dealing with COVID-19 issues since before the Jets game:

Browns have placed 17 players on their COVID-19 Reserve list over the last two weeks; ten of those players still remain on the list, including Joel Bitonio and Khadarel Hodge, who were added today. pic.twitter.com/dJ3UzuriV7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2021