3 Cleveland Browns who could earn more time with COVID issues
By Greg Newland
The Cleveland Browns are likely to be extremely short-handed vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. These three players could earn themselves more playing time because of that.
The Cleveland Browns did receive some help from the NFL this week, as their game vs. the Las Vegas Raiders that was originally scheduled for Saturday, was moved to Monday evening.
Over the last week, the Browns organization had 20 plus positive COVID tests that included half the starters on offense and defense.
The organization has kept the details of each player tight to the vest, and to this point, the key guys that will now be able to play are Takk McKinley and Wyatt Teller. It’s unclear who will still come off the list on Monday before the game, but Baker Mayfield has said he expects to be ready to go.
The reason for so much unclarity is that there are too many unknowns at this time. The team doesn’t release who is and isn’t vaccinated, and we also don’t know who is symptomatic and who isn’t. It feels like there is a good chance to see four or five more names activated before the game on Monday evening, but we just aren’t sure.
Let’s not forget, the Browns will now be doing a Monday to Saturday turn, which is just as brutal as the Sunday to Thursday that each team must make throughout the season. The big difference on Monday, the Cleveland Browns must beat the Raiders to keep their playoff chances alive.
With the Ravens losing to the Packers on Sunday, the Browns will be playing for first place in the division, a place the Browns haven’t been at the end of the season since the birth of the AFC North.
Even with some returning, there are still plenty of guys that will likely miss the game on Monday. With those players out, these three guys will see extra snaps and have a chance to prove themselves.