Browns Announce Report Date for Phase 1 of Team's Return to Facilities

As states around the country begin the process of reopening amid the coronavirus crisis, there are reports seemingly coming in from left and right that signal the impending return of live sports.

In regards to the NFL, a sport with an offseason that has already been postponed by the pandemic, the wheels are turning, too, and the Cleveland Browns are set to take a huge first step in ensuring that football resumes as planned in the fall.

On Friday, the organization announced that FirstEnergy Stadium and its Berea facility will be open for business, albeit on a limited basis, starting on Monday. This motion will mark the first phase of the Browns' reopening process.

It's worth noting that players and coaches are not included in this inaugural phase. This announcement only pertains to a restricted number of staffers. However, commissioner Roger Goodell revealed on Thursday that, if all states are on board, he expects coaches to be permitted back at facilities as soon as next week.

Cleveland was actually authorized to partially reopen back on May 19, but it responsibly waited until the necessary safety precautions were carried out.

Goodell announced that the virtual offseason program has been extended two weeks into mid-June, but it seems that the NFL is on a path that could see players allowed at facilities before July. This step from the Browns proves that's very much in the realm of possibility.