The Browns will try to make the playoffs without four wide receivers, including Jarvis Landry, along with their starting middle linebacker and his likely replacement, because of a positive COVID-19 test and subsequent contact tracing.
Cleveland’s game against the New York Jets will be played as scheduled, an NFL spokesman said. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield may not recognize every one in the huddle.
The stunning news for the Browns (10-4) came as they were preparing to fly to the New York area — the flight was delayed more than four hours — and potentially lock up their first postseason berth since 2002, the league’s longest drought.
Starting linebacker B.J. Goodson was the first to be placed on the COVID-19 list after he tested positive. Then, after the team completed contact tracing, Landry and fellow receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and KhaDarel Hodge were also placed on the list, knocking them out of the game.
Rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips, who may have started for Goodson, is also out.
The losses leave Mayfield without most of his top targets. Landry leads the team with 67 catches for 789 yards in the absence of Odell Beckham Jr., who suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 25.
Higgins has 35 catches and has been a go-to for Mayfield on third downs.
For Landry, this will be the first game he has missed in seven seasons. The five-time Pro Bowler has played in 110 straight games and didn’t miss any time this season despite breaking a rib on Oct. 11 against Indianapolis.
“ANNOYED,” he posted on Twitter.
Higgins, too, expressed his disappointment, writing: “I don’t even have covid!!!”
Per league rules, Goodson could also miss the Jan. 3 matchup against Pittsburgh. The league says any player testing positive has to stay out at least 10 days before being eligible to return. Of course, that also depends on the player’s health. The other players will be allowed back as long as they continue to test negative.
The Browns elevated wideouts Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies from the practice squad along with linebacker Montrel Meander.
Cleveland did get some good news as starting rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills was activated Saturday from the COVID-19 list after being placed there Thursday due to close contact with a person outside the team. Wills never tested positive.
The Browns are close to ending the NFL’s current longest playoff drought. They’ll do so with a win Sunday and a loss by Indianapolis, Miami or Baltimore.
QB Jones a go for Giants
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, who has been dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries in recent weeks, will get the start in Week 16 against Baltimore, the NFL Network reported. Jones has missed two of the last three games, with Colt McCoy getting the start in a win over Seattle in Week 13 and a loss in Week 15 to Cleveland. The 5-9 Giants are a game behind Washington in the NFL East. Should the Giants lose or tie Sunday, Washington could clinch with a win over Carolina … Mike Glennon will make his fourth start of the season when the skidding Jacksonville Jaguars host playoff-hopeful Chicago, coach Doug Marrone announced Saturday, choosing Glennon over Gardner Minshew. The 1-13 Jaguars also ruled out rookie running back James Robinson, who missed practice all week because of a left ankle injury. Robinson is 35 yards shy of breaking the NFL rushing record by an undrafted rookie. He will try for the mark in the season finale at Indianapolis.
Jackson back for Eagles
The Eagles are activating DeSean Jackson for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, the NFL Network reported. Jackson has not played since Oct. 22 when he suffered a suffered a non-displaced fracture in his ankle during a win over the Giants and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Jackson has only played in four games this season and had 13 catches for 155 yards … Phillip Lindsay’s season and possibly his career in Denver is over after the Broncos placed him on injured reserve with hip and knee injuries. The only undrafted player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons to start a career, Lindsay ran for just 502 yards and one touchdown and caught just seven passes for 28 yards in an injury-marred 2020 season … The New York Jets activated running back La’Mical Perine from injured reserve after the rookie missed four games with a high ankle sprain … The Cowboys placed defensive tackle Antwaun Woods on injured reserve Saturday because of an ankle injury, ending another starter’s season with two games left in an injury-plagued year for Dallas.
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December 27, 2020 at 07:07AM
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Browns lose linebacker B.J. Goodson and their top four receivers to COVID-19 for Sunday’s game - The Boston Globe
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