75 Joel Bitonio OG

Bitonio will be activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday according to a source, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

After clearing the league's COVID-19 protocols, Bitonio will be able to rejoin the Browns ahead of Sunday's AFC divisional-round matchup against the Chiefs. The 29-year-old will likely return to his starting role at left guard.

Bitonio was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Bitonio tested positive for the virus and won't be available for Sunday's wild-card game against the Steelers. Bitonio started every regular-season game at left guard. Michael Dunn appears to be the next man up at the position.

Bitonio (back) is active Week 4 agains the Cowboys.

Bitonio was able to play through the injury last week, but it did cost him a practice session Wednesday before he returned on a limited basis both Thursday and Friday. It doesn't appear to be anything that will prevent Bitonio from suiting up and starting at left guard, and the team appears confident he can finish the game, as backup Evan Brown is a healthy scratch for the contest.

Bitonio is questionable for Sunday's game at Dallas with a back injury, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Bitonio began the week not practicing due to the back injury, but he progressed enough over the past couple days to receive the questionable tag. Evan Brown is the likely replacement at left guard should Bitonio be unable to play Sunday.

Bitonio (abdomen) will play in Sunday's game versus the Rams.

Bitonio didn't miss a game due to this injury and he'll start at left guard Sunday.

Bitonio was limited in Wednesday's practice due to an abdomen injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bitonio managed to play through his abdomen injury during Monday's win over the Jets and may manage to do the same Week 3 versus the Rams. If Bitonio is able to go, he'll likely draw the start at left guard.

Bitonio isn't listed on the injury report for Monday's matchup with the Jets.

Bitonio was originally deemed questionable for Monday's contest, but it seems he'll be able to suit up. The 27-year-old will likely start at left guard.

Bitonio (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Monday's game versus the Jets, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bitonio was limited in practice all week, so he could be a true game-time decision. If he's unable to play, Justin McCray will likely start at left guard.

The Browns have decided to move Bitonio from left guard to left tackle, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Coach Hue Jackson said he's, "going to put the best five players out there" on the offensive line, and while Bitonio has started at left guard in all 47 games in which he has appeared, the Browns are confident he can smoothly make the transition. Shon Coleman had been practicing at left tackle since training camp began but was demoted to the second team after struggling, and Greg Robinson (concussion) has been sidelined since the second day of practice. General Manager John Dorsey will continue to look at outside options to fill the left tackle role, but, for now, Bitonio will be the guy. Rookie Austin Corbett is projected to take Bitonio's place at left guard.

Bitonio (knee) was a full participant in practice Friday.

Bitonio looks to be on track to play Sunday against the Steelers after practicing on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday.

Bitonio (knee) was limited in practice Wednesday.

As expected, Bitonio made his return to practice -- albeit on a limited basis -- after injuring his knee in mid-August and is on track to suit up against the Steelers on Sunday.

Bitonio (knee) will practice Wednesday and expects to play in Week 1 versus the Steelers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bitonio has been sidelined since Aug. 15, but the offensive tackle should be in there to protect rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer against the Steelers' pass rush on Sunday. He signed a five-year, $51 million extension this offseason.

Bitonio (knee) worked on the side with trainers during Monday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bitonio has been out since Aug. 16 with a knee injury and will miss his third straight preseason game on Thursday. However, the 25-year-old offensive lineman is expected to make a full recovery in time for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Steelers.

Bitonio left team drills Tuesday after falling during a running play and will miss the remainder of the preseason, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Although Bitonio won't suit up during the team's final three preseason games, coach Hue Jackson fully expects Bitonio to be ready for the season's opening contest against the Steelers on Sep. 10. The offensive tackle -- who is coming back from Lisfranc surgery in October of 2016 -- signed a five-year, $51 million extension in March and is expected to be a crucial part of Cleveland's running attack.

Bitonio (foot) is expected to do some individual work this week as he continues to recover from Lisfranc surgery, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Bitonio cannot rush the healing process of Lisfranc surgery due to the amount of small bones affiliated with the region. However, the lineman appears to making great progress with a goal of returning in time for the beginning of the regular season. It still may be awhile till we see him on the field, so look for more updates to come once training camp is underway.

Bitonio (foot) has no doubt he'll be ready for the start of the regular season, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "I feel really strong," Bitonio said. "I feel like the foot's coming along. It takes time. It's one of those things you don't want to rush back into, so we're taking it day by day. But I feel good, and I'm definitely going to be ready for the season."

Bitonio sprained the Lisfranc joint in his right foot last October. Players cannot be rushed back from this particular injury due to the delicate healing process required by the small bones in the afflicted region. If he can pull off a full recovery in time for the season opener this fall, on paper the Browns will own one of the best offensive lines in the league that -- along with Bitonio -- boasts the likes of Joe Thomas and offseason acquisitions Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter (knee).

Bitonio (foot) signed a five-year, $51 million extension with the Browns on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Bitonio's deal includes $23 million in guarantees. It was a busy day for the Browns offensive line in free agency, as the team also went out and negotiated deals with center J.C. Tretter and guard Kevin Zeitler. Bitonio, Tretter and Zeitler shore up Cleveland's interior offensive line and their banding together should lead to better run production in 2017.

Bitonio (foot) is expected back for the start of the 2017 season, Cleveland.com reports.

Bitonio went down in Week 5 with a Lisfranc injury in his right foot and ended the season on injured reserve for the second year in a row. As one of the better offensive guards in the league, a return for the beginning of the 2017 season would pay dividends for the entire Browns offense.

Bitonio (foot) will visit a doctor today to decide whether he should get surgery on his mid-foot sprain or not, Adam Caplan of ESPN reports.

Bitonio was placed on IR on Friday after suffering the sprain in Week 5. He'd been having a terrific season before his surgery and was a big reason for the Browns' resurfacing rushing attack.

Bitonio (foot) was placed on injured reserve.

Bitonio, the team's second-round selection in 2014, has started every game for the Browns this year and has heavily contributed to the team's current fifth-place rank in rushing yards. However, he suffered a mid-foot injury during Sunday's game against the Patriots and is set to miss an extended period of time.