NFLPA President, Browns' Tretter Tests Positive For COVID-19

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter, the NFL Players Association president who has been pushing the league for daily COVID-19 testing all season, tested positive for the virus on Thursday.

Tretter posted on Twitter that he was experiencing symptoms and chose to be tested at the team's facility in Berea, Ohio.

"Unfortunately, I am positive for COVID-19," Tretter wrote. "I encourage all NFL players to take every precaution available to them to protect themselves, their families and their teammates from this virus."

The Browns have been hit hard by a spate of positive tests in the past week and were missing 22 players, including Baker Mayfield as well as coach Kevin Stefanski, for Monday night's rescheduled game against Las Vegas, which Cleveland lost.

On Wednesday, Tretter spoke to reporters for the first time in weeks and discussed the recent challenges for the NFL and players' union to navigate the uptick in cases due to the omicron variant.

Tretter said the league last week discussed canceling three games, including Raiders-Browns, before postponing them.

The Browns (7-7), who play at Green Bay on Christmas, got two more players back from the COVID-19 list as linebacker Grant Delpit and rookie offensive tackle James Hudson III were activated.

Stefanski returned to the team on Wednesday. Mayfield has yet to produce a required negative test. His 10-day quarantine period ends on Saturday, and it's possible he'll play against the Packers despite not practicing.

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By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

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