Down Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow the past two months, the Detroit Lions could be without his replacement, Evan Brown, this week.
The Lions placed Brown on the reserve/COVID-19 list one day after the Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings, 29-27, at Ford Field.
Brown has started the past eight games at center for the Lions and played well in the first extended action of his career. The Lions have averaged 143.3 rushing yards per game the past four weeks.
NFL players who test positive for COVID must quarantine for a minimum of 10 days. Players who are vaccinated can return early if they produce two negative tests 24 hours apart.
Brown is vaccinated.
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Rookie Ryan McCollum, signed off the Houston Texans practice squad earlier this season, could start at center if Brown cannot play this week against the Denver Broncos. He has played seven offensive snaps this season.
The Lions played one game in October without special teams coordinator Dave Fipp after he tested positive for COVID. They lost that game, 44-6, to the Philadelphia Eagles
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.