NEWARK, N.J. — Browns receiver Jarvis Landry battled through a hip injury all last season and fought his way back from offseason surgery to keep his cherished 110-game streak alive, only to have it end on Sunday by being placed on the COVID-19 reserve as a high-risk close contact.
Landry is one of five players — the top four receivers and a starting linebacker — who were placed on the list Saturday evening as close contacts of linebacker B.J. Goodson, who tested positive for the virus.
All must sit out Sunday’s potential playoff-clinching game against the 1-13 Jets, and Goodson will also miss next week’s season finale against the Steelers because players who test positive must remain away from the team for at least 10 days.
The others placed on the list as high-risk close contacts of Goodson’s are receivers Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and linebackers Jacob Phillips.
In addition, the club has elevated (Contagious Disease Addendum) receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley, linebacker Montrel Meander and receiver Derrick Willies from the practice squad. The only active receiver left on the roster before the practice-squad call-ups was Marvin Hall, who was claimed off waivers Dec. 7th from Detroit.
A source said the players did not celebrate Christmas together. A league source said the game is still being played because the NFL has determined that it’s safe for other players and coaches to participate and they’re not a medical risk. The close contacts must isolate for five days and can return on the sixth day if they continue to test negative, meaning they can likely return to practice on Thursday.
The Browns thought they might be out of the woods when rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who was placed on the COVID-19 reserve Thursday as a close contact of someone outside the organization, was activated off the list and penciled back into his starting spot for the Jets game.
The game is huge for the Browns because they have a chance to clinch their first playoff spot in 18 years with a victory and a loss or tie by by Ravens, Dolphins or Colts.
Landry, who’s come on strong the last four weeks with 29 receptions and three TDs after not scoring his first 10 games, weighed in on the matter on social media.
“ANNOYED,’' he tweeted.
The Browns not only have to replace Landry on his routes and pre-snap motions, they’ll also miss his arm.
“I knew he could throw the ball really well,’' offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Thursday. “I didn’t probably pay enough attention to the type of route runner he was and the ability to separate versus tight coverage, make contestant catches and all of that. I am pretty sure he hit the Bengals with a nice throw down the right sideline against us a few years ago so I obviously knew he could throw it well.”
The Browns were gearing up for their afternoon flight to New Jersey on Saturday morning when they got word that Goodson, the Browns starting middle linebacker, had tested positive. At that point, they closed the facility, conducted meetings virtually and delayed their 2:45 p.m. flight while they conducted contact tracing. They also worked closely with the NFL on the appropriate next steps.
Losing Goodson was a big enough blow, because he’s the inspirational leader of the defense, leading the team with a career-high 91 tackles and being tied for first with two interceptions. If the Browns beat the Jets and the 11-3 Steelers lose to the 10-4, Colt, the Browns will have a chance to win the division in the season finale for the first time since 1989.
“B.J. does a good job,’' Stefanski said on Dec. 7th, a day after Goodson helped the Browns beat the Titans 41-35. “He’s definitely the emotional leader of the defense. You hear him before you see him. He rallies the guys at practice and during the games. He’s making big plays in these ball games to help us win.’'
With Goodson and Phillips out, Mack Wilson will have a chance to redeem himself after being benched last week, presumably for performance. Phillips started in his place, but Wilson could be pressed into service either at middle linebacker or at his usual weak side spot. The Browns also have Malcolm Smith and Tae Davis ready to step in.
When the contact tracing news hit, it couldn’t have been much worse unless Baker Mayfield had been on the list. Playing lights out the last four weeks and climbing to No. 12 in the NFL with a 99.4 rating, Mayfield will have to rely heavily on his tight ends and on running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
In his past four games, Mayfield has thrown 10 touchdowns against only one interception, completed 70% of his passes and earned a 117.7 rating.
Fortunately for Mayfield, he’ll be going against an injury-ravaged Jets secondary that’s playing a second-team rookie cornerback, a third-team safety and a third-team nickelback.
By 7 p.m., the Browns departed for New Jersey, four hours and 15 minutes later than anticipated. By then, there were many empty seats on the flight and six key contributors at home wondering what hit them.
The hard part will be potentially not having the receiving corps back until Thursday with possibly a playoff berth or the AFC North crown on the line against the Steelers. The players must also continue to test negative to be able to return.
To date, more than 25 individuals throughout the NFL indentified as high risk contacts have turned positive.
The Browns have already been dealing with COVID-19 on a weekly basis with Myles Garrett still taking breathing treatments and fighting through lingering effects of the virus. He had a coughing fit after last week’s 20-6 victory over the Giants and is hoping to be closer to his usual self by the playoffs if the Browns get in.
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New Browns face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Browns-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NFL proceeds donated to CDC Foundation.
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