Reports: Browns QB Case Keenum, others positive for COVID-19
The Cleveland Browns began Thursday with 17 players, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and a running backs coach on reserve/COVID-19 lists ahead of Saturday's still-scheduled home game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Browns fans received some good news earlier in the day, though, when the team confirmed tight ends David Njoku and Stephen Carlson were activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
As has been the case since Monday, things only got worse for Cleveland.
Per ESPN's Jake Trotter and multiple other reporters, Browns quarterback Case Keenum tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Cleveland QB1 Baker Mayfield is already on the reserve/COVID-19 list, meaning journeyman Nick Mullens is on track to start Saturday after joining the active roster earlier on Thursday.
Mullens hasn't taken a meaningful snap since he featured for the San Francisco 49ers versus the Dallas Cowboys in December 2020.
Safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. was added to the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, and fellow safety Grant Delpit and three other Browns defensive players are said to have also tested positive:
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and others reported the NFL still had no plans to postpone or shift Saturday's game. However, the NFL Players Association may have something to say about that:
Keenum participated in Thursday's practice session, so logic suggests more Browns offensive players, at least, could produce positive test results on Friday. The NFL announced altered health and safety protocols on Thursday afternoon, but it's assumed those won't apply to the Browns-Raiders contest unless it's postponed.
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