HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Browns’ Jadeveon Clowney Tests Positive For COVID-19

December 17th, 2021 at 12:50pm CST by Zachary Links

Two more Browns players are looking doubtful for this week. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN.com (on Twitter). And, earlier today, the Browns announced that linebacker Mack Wilson has also tested positive. 

With Clowney added to the list, the Browns are likely down to eleven healthy starters for tomorrow’s game against the Raiders. The league’s new COVID-19 rules could allow some players in the group to be cleared in time, but it doesn’t seem likely with ~24 hours until game time.

Clowney has started in all 12 of his games this year and, for the most part, looks to have rebounded well from his latest knee surgery. So far, he’s got 29 tackles and five sacks — two more sacks than he had in 2019 and 2020 combined. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus has him ranked as just the 45th best edge defender in the league. Regardless, the Browns can ill afford to play without him (and the other ~20 players on the COVID-19 list) as they push for a playoff spot.

Wilson, 23, has appeared in 13 games this season, including five starts. He’s got 40 tackles on the year, giving him 161 stops across the last three seasons.

Bills’ Dion Dawkins Tests Positive For COVID-19

December 17th, 2021 at 12:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins has tested positive for COVID-19, head coach Sean McDermott tells WGR 550 (Twitter link via Albert Breer of The MMQB). Unless Dawkins can pass a follow-up test between now and Sunday, he’ll be held out of this week’s game against the Panthers.

[RELATED: NFL Updates COVID-19 Protocols]

At 7-6, the Bills are jockeying for a Wild Card spot and still chasing the Patriots for the AFC East crown. Playing without Dawkins, the team’s starting left tackle since 2017, would obviously put them at a disadvantage.

Dawkins could be cleared in time, thanks to the league’s new protocols, but his medical history could also be a factor. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman was hospitalized for four days this summer after developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. He lost 16 pounds during that stretch, so he may prefer to exercise caution.

Dawkins has been first string for all 13 of his games this year, giving him 72 career starts for Buffalo out of 77 total games. Even though this is his worst year to date, per the metrics at Pro Football Focus, he’s still ranked 45th among all qualified tackles. Last year, Dawkins placed 14th with an overall score of 80.6.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/21

December 17th, 2021 at 10:30am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

  • Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List: RB Mark Ingram

New York Giants

Washington Football Team

WFT To Sign QB Garrett Gilbert 

December 17th, 2021 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

The hits just keep on comin’. One day after placing Kyle Allen on the COVID-19 list, the Washington Football Team has done the same with quarterback Taylor Heinicke, per a club announcement. In desperate need of a signal caller, Washington has signed Garrett Gilbert to potentially start on Sunday against the Eagles. 

[RELATED: NFL Updates COVID-19 Protocols]

The NFL’s revised protocols could conceivably allow Heinicke and Allen to dress this week. But, with a little over 48 hours between now and kickoff, Washington had to act fast. Enter Gilbert, a 30-year-old journeyman with just seven pro appearances on his resume.

Gilbert’s lone start came with the Cowboys last year, a Week 9 loss to the Steelers. That too was a desperation move. Dak Prescott was injured, Andy Dalton was parked on the COVID-19 list, and youngster Ben DiNucci was coming off of a rough performance in Week 8. Gilbert finished the game 21-of-38 for 243 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

At 6-7, Washington still has a path to the playoffs. Their fate may rest in the hands of Gilbert or one of their practice squad QBs, either Kyle Shurmur or Jordan Ta’amu.

Browns To Sign QBs Kyle Lauletta, Jake Dolegala

December 17th, 2021 at 9:06am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are set to sign quarterbacks Jake Dolegala and Kyle Lauletta, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic (on Twitter). They’ll provide badly-needed insurance this week as Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum remain on the COVID-19 list.

[RELATED: Browns To Start Mullens At QB]

The Browns have upwards of 20 players on the COVID list, so there will be more moves to come. They’re currently expected to use Nick Mullens as their starter for tomorrow’s game against the Raiders with Dolegala and Lauletta in reserve.

Lauletta, who is being plucked from the Jaguars’ taxi squad, spent the summer with the Browns. To date, the 26-year-old has just two appearances on his resume, both with the Giants in 2018. Dolegala, 25, has never seen live action in the NFL.

The league’s updated COVID-19 protocols could allow Mayfield, Keenum, and other Browns players to suit up tomorrow. Of course, their availability will still hinge on their symptoms (or, lack thereof), vaccination status, and other factors.

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett To Skip Bowl Game, Prepare For Draft

December 16th, 2021 at 8:23pm CST by Ben Levine

As expected, one of the top QB prospects will declare for the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett announced on Twitter that he won’t be playing in his upcoming bowl game as he prepares for the 2022 draft.

“I am incredibly proud to say I was a part of the team that brought back another trophy to the City of Champions,” Pickett said in his statement. “With love and gratitude, I have decided to forgo the Peach Bowl and begin training for the 2022 NFL Draft.”

Pickett put himself on the NFL map with a breakout season for the Panthers, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. The 23-year-old finished the season as a Heisman Trophy finalist, and he earned a number of accolades like the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and ACC Player of the Year.

This year’s draft class hasn’t been touted for its quarterbacks, but Pickett is a popular pick to be the first signal-caller off the board. Dane Brugler of The Athletic recently had Pickett as the first QB taken, as did ESPN’s Todd McShay. Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus had the prospect behind Matt Corral of Ole Miss. The Steelers are a popular landing spot in mock drafts for the Pitt product, and Pickett has also been listed as a potential option for WFT and the Panthers.

QB Nick Mullens Expected To Start For Browns On Saturday

December 16th, 2021 at 7:52pm CST by Ben Levine

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.

Rams Place LB Von Miller, Eight Others On Reserve/COVID-19 List

December 16th, 2021 at 6:42pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams have placed nine more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including linebacker Von Miller. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), the following players have been sidelined:

The Rams are now up to 25 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. While the organization will surely activate some players prior to Sunday’s game against the Seahawks, they’ll still have a long list of absences for the contest. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wideout Odell Beckham are among the other Rams players who were already stashed on the list.

Yesterday, commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL wasn’t planning on postponing or cancelling any upcoming games. The Browns and WFT are among the other teams that are dealing with more than 20 players on the COVID list.

NFL Updates COVID-19 Protocols

December 16th, 2021 at 2:49pm CST by Zachary Links

With scores of positive tests throughout the NFL, the league has updated it’s policy for COVID-19 cases. The full memo (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport) details updates to the protocols, including new — and faster — ways in which a vaccinated player can “test out” of quarantine.

“Throughout the pandemic we have continuously evolved our protocols to meet our goal of advancing the safety of players, coaches, and staff,” said the league in a statement issued on Thursday afternoon. “The changes we are maing today aim to address the increase in cases and the advent of the Omicron variant. Effective immediately, all clubs will implement preventattive measures that have proven effective: masking regardless of vaccination status, remote or outdoor meetings, eliminating in-person meals, and no outside visitors while on team travel. We will continue to strongly encourage booster shots as the most effective protection.

“Finally, and based on expert advice, we will adjust the return-to-participation requirements for those who have recovered from COVID-19. All of those changes are grounded in our data and science-backed approach, with safety our number-one goal for the entire NFL community.”

Previously, the NFL required players to test negative twice on back-to-back days before retaking the field. Now, a vaccinated and asymptomatic player will be eligible to return as soon as the day after one positive test. All the changes will be in effect through the end of Week 15 (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero), with the potential for more modifications as time moves on.

Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III Enters NFL Draft

December 16th, 2021 at 2:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Kenneth Walker III is going pro. On Thursday, the Michigan State running back announced that he will forgo his remaining eligibility, skip the Peach Bowl, and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.

“It has been a true honor to represent Michigan State University and wear the Green and White,” Walker said in a statement. “I am beyond grateful to Coach Tucker and the entire staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to shine under their leadership. As the regular season has come to a close, I would like to announce that I have decided to forgo playing in the Peach Bowl to begin preparation for the NFL Draft.”

“I would like to thank God, my family, my teammates, fans and all my coaches over the years for helping me become the player and man I am today. I will forever be a Spartan Dawg.”

Walker, the nation’s second leading rusher, has amassed 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns this year off of 263 carries. His performance earned him sixth-place in Heisman voting and the Doak Walker Award, given to the country’s best collegiate RB. Walker was also crowned a unanimous All-American. Needless to say, he won’t last long come April. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has the 5’10”, 212-pound Spartan ranked as the No. 1 RB in the ’22 class, ahead of Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller and Iowa State’s Breece Hall.

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