Two more Browns players are looking doubtful for this week. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney tested positive for COVID-19, according to Kimberley A. Martin of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Earlier Friday, the Browns announced that linebacker Mack Wilson also tested positive.
With Clowney added to the list, the Browns are likely down to 11 healthy starters for Saturday’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.
More must-reads: