KHADAREL HODGE

ALLEN PARK -- New Lions receiver Khadarel Hodge is taking a steep pay cut to stay in Detroit. Hodge was acquired via waivers on Wednesday, then agreed to slash his salary to $920,000 according to ESPN. Hodge was one of two receivers added in recent days, along with the trade for Trinity Benson. Hodge caught two passes while playing 177 snaps on special teams for the Rams that year. “It was a tough decision with the Rams,” Holmes said.

Cam Newton followed Mac Jones along the sideline, holding his right hand up, waiting for the rookie quarterback to slap it after the No. 15 overall pick threw a touchdown in a preseason game Sunday night.

Case Keenum showed why Cleveland invested in him to back up Baker Mayfield, throwing a touchdown pass and leading the Browns to a 17-13 win over the New York Giants in an exhibition game.

Garber said while he felt for the challenges facing the Canadian teams, the league had to abide by made-in-Canada health guidelines. Green Bay (13-3) hosts the Los Angeles Rams (11-6) in a NFC divisional playoff game Saturday. Also, Thursday night’s Southeastern Conference women’s basketball game featuring No. ___Georgetown has canceled its men’s basketball game against DePaul on Wednesday night, citing a COVID-19-related issue with the program. ___Two SMU men’s basketball games scheduled for this week have been postponed because of a positive COVID-19 case and ensuing contact tracing issues in the program.

If they win, the Browns (10-5) will make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and end the NFL's longest current playoff drought. But the Browns will now be missing their best defensive back and at least two other defensive starters. While Ward is lost for at least this week, the Browns did get back star Jarvis Landry and three other receivers who missed last week's game. Not only will he miss the Steelers game, but he could also be out of Cleveland's first-round playoff matchup — assuming the Browns get there. The Browns were getting ready to leave for the New York area on Saturday when Goodson's test came back positive.

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)The Browns didn't begin preparing for the Steelers on the field but rather via Zoom calls. The Browns, who have nine players currently on the COVID-19 reserve list, will make the postseason for the first time since 2002 with a win. After learning of the positive tests, the team closed its facility to do contact tracing and Stefanski said players were doing virtual meetings — something that has become standard in 2020. "“I don’t think it would come as a surprise for a positive test in that market. The Browns did have a good development as starting right guard Wyatt Teller was cleared to practice after missing two games with a sprained ankle.

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/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)CLEVELAND – With their biggest game in years just days away, the Cleveland Browns added three more players to their lengthy COVID-19 list. Safeties Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph along with rookie tight end Harrison Bryant were placed on the list Tuesday, giving Cleveland nine players on the list. It's not yet known if Sendejo, Joseph or Bryant tested positive for the virus or if they had close contact with an infected person. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has been vigilant about keeping his players safe and following NFL and team guidelines.

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. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Baker Mayfield coughed up the ball — and the Cleveland Browns' chances to wrap up a playoff spot. After a 23-16 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the Browns will need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday if they're going to end the NFL's longest playoff drought. The call was upheld by video review, and the Jets (2-13) sealed their second straight victory after an 0-13 start. Mayfield then marched the Browns downfield, and Nick Chubb's 1-yard run made it 20-10 with 2:56 left in the third quarter.

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)The Cleveland Browns are short-handed as they try to clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2002, the longest active drought in the NFL. They learned Sunday morning they will be without starting rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills against the New York Jets because of an illness. The Browns will be missing receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips. The Indianapolis Colts will be without both starting offensive tackles when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes after they placed LB Whitney Mercilus on the COVID list on Christmas.

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills (71) takes the field for an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. Wills had been placed on the COVID list on Thursday, Dec. 24 after being in close contact with someone outside the team who had tested positive. The loss of Wills further depletes Cleveland's offensive line; starting right guard Wyatt Teller will miss his second straight game with a sprained ankle. In addition to Landry, the Browns will be missing receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips. They were placed on the COVID-19 list on Saturday before the team flew to the New York area.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)The New York Giants will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Jones was not expected to play because of a hamstring injury suffered last week against Cincinnati. Colt McCoy will make his first start of the season at QB for the Giants. Seattle was without both starting right tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) and backup Cedric Ogbuehi (calf) leaving a major question on the offensive line. ___CLEVELAND-TENNESSEEBrowns: WR Taywan Taylor, WR KhaDarel Hodge, CB Denzel Ward, RB Dontrell Hilliard, S Tedric Thompson, DE Joe Jackson.

CLEVELAND – Myles Garrett pushes, shoves and fights 300-pound offensive linemen on a nearly daily basis for a living. “Kicked my butt,” the Browns star said Friday. As his sickness dragged on, he grew concerned about heart problems, which can occur in some COVID patients. "I’m feeling as normal as I’m going to. So I’m treating it as if I’m picking up right where I left off.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates on the field after their 49-38 win against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. Mayfield threw for two touchdowns, including one set up when Garrett had a strip sack in a third straight game, and Beckham scored three times and the Cleveland Browns held on to beat the Dallas Cowboys 49-38 on Sunday. Dallas is the first team since Oakland in 2012 to allow at least 38 points in three straight games in the same season. Cowboys: C Joe Looney injured his right knee on the first offensive play of the game and didn't return. Cowboys: New York Giants in second of three straight home games next Sunday.