NFL
QB Baker Mayfield returns for the Browns after covid-19 protocols
Cleveland has had a rough time of late due to covid-19. With the return of their starting QB, do they now have a fighting chance against their next opponent, Green Bay Packers?
After seeing games postponed due to their heavily depleted roster, Cleveland got some good news amidst their covid-19 woes with the return of their QB as well as a few others.
Browns' Baker Mayfield and others out of covid-19 protocols
According to reports, the Cleveland Browns have activated quarterback Baker Mayfield off the reserve/covid-19 list, meaning he will now be available for the Browns' Christmas day date with the Green Bay Packers. Mayfield had been sidelined by covid-19 since December 15th. During that time, the former Heisman Trophy winner was forced to sit out last Monday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Interestingly, due to the league's 10-day rule, Mayfield is now eligible to play on December 25th, even without having to clear testing protocols.
Cleveland were further bolstered after being able to activate quarterback Case Keenum, receiver Jarvis Landry, cornerback A.J. Green and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo. Landry specifically was a crucial loss for the Browns during his absence, as was evidenced on Monday when the Browns essentially produced nothing for the first 35 minutes against the Los Angeles Raiders. Unfortunately for the Browns, however, it was not entirely a success story as they were forced to place kicker Chase McLaughlin on the covid-19 list, leading to the activation of rookie Chris Naggar off the practice squad. Naggar will be the Browns' kicker when they meet Green Bay.
Cleveland has paid a heavy price
A quick look at Cleveland's roster and one will find that the team has been decimated by an outbreak of covid-19 over the last week and a half. Indeed the Browns have over 20 players on their reserve/covid-19 list. With the return of their two main QBs, stand in Nick Mullens who performed credibly in the Browns' 16-14 loss to the Raiders will step down, however, the roster complications continue.
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What now for the Browns?
The Browns who sit on a record of 7-7, are going into a three-week finish to the season during they must win at least two of their final three games - preferably all three. That challenging reality starts on Christmas Day with an ominous threat, the Green Bay Packers. For the purpose of context, Green Bay brings the league's ninth-ranked passing offense up against Cleveland's eighth-ranked passing defense. While Green's return will undoubtedly strengthen Cleveland, the harsh truth is that it will take a full on collective effort, in what is basically a must win game against the NFC's top seed.