7:52pm: Cornerback A.J. Green and linebacker Jacob Phillips have also tested positive for COVID-19, reports Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal (via Twitter).
4:59pm: The Browns will likely have to turn to their third-string QB for Saturday’s matchup against the Raiders. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), quarterback Case Keenum has tested positive for COVID-19. With Baker Mayfield already on the reserve/COVID-19 list, this means Nick Mullens is in line to start.
[RELATED: Browns’ Baker Mayfield Tests Positive For COVID-19]
The Browns are facing at least five more positive tests in addition to Keenum, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones (on Twitter). This would bring the total to 20 players on the Browns who have tested positive for COVID-19 this week. One of those players is Grant Delpit, as Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal tweets that the safety tested positive. While the Browns are eyeing a handful of absences, coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t rule out any players following the NFL’s changes to COVID protocols.
“Certainly when they tell me we have run out of days in terms of negative tests and those type of things, then it will be official, but I don’t know that we’re ruling any of those guys out just yet,” Stefanski said (via Ulrich).
Either way, it’s looking like Mullens will be forced into the lineup for a crucial start. The 26-year-old has spent the majority of the 2021 campaign on Cleveland’s practice squad, although he is coming off a 2020 campaign where he started eight games for the 49ers. Mullens is 5-11 in his 16 career starts, and his 4,405 passing yards are the second most by any quarterback in their first 16 career starts in NFL history (behind Patrick Mahomes (h/t to ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter)). Mullens also has 25 career touchdowns vs. 22 interceptions.
Keenum started one game for the Browns this season, completing 21 of his 33 pass attempts in a win over the Broncos. In total, the 33-year-old has seen time in six games for Cleveland this season, tossing one touchdown vs. zero interceptions.
Don’t matter. The Browns can win with anybody.
Mullens has a juicy 131.3 passer rating on 4th downs so the Browns should give their punter the day off.
How many 4th down snaps does he have though?
whooooooosh
Love the confidence SC 2, lol.
The NFL has lost its mind. Stop the asinine testing. It’s useless.
Your reply is asinine and useless.
Hi Joe!
Mayfield called out the league & rightfully so.
As a Niners fan, I can say Cleveland is in good hands this week. He’s a baller, especially on short notice.
didnt realize Mullins had such decent numbers actually. maybe there is something there…
And who backs up Mullins?
No one. Chubb and Hunt run the wildcat for the game.
Hunt isn’t playing, so Chubb and Johnson I guess
Landry is the emergency QB but he’s out also. I heard the pizza delivery kid from Domino’s tested negative and he played pee wee football so he might be an option. Talk about getting surprise delivery frees.
If the Browns were playing anyone but the Raiders they could put an emergency call in for Brian Sipe.
2020 Broncos 2.0?
Nope they got 2 new qbs