Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski doesn't clear COVID-19 protocols, out vs. Raiders

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Dec 20, 2021 2:02 PM ET

The 7-6 Cleveland Browns had their home game against the 6-7 Las Vegas Raiders pushed back from Saturday to Monday because of a COVID-19 outbreak that included reigning Professional Football Writers of America and Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski testing positive for the virus.

Earlier in the day, Cleveland learned that starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum are among players who will not clear the NFL's COVID-19 protocols by kickoff against the Raiders. Stefanski's name was added to that list.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski will not coach today. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be acting HC & Alex Van Pelt will call plays #Browns
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) December 20, 2021

Many of the Browns players taking the field Monday are familiar with this type of situation. Stefanski was famously unable to attend the playoff game at the rival Pittsburgh Steelers last January after he and several others tested positive for COVID-19, but the Browns nevertheless notched a 48-37 win.

Browns are 1-0 all-time when Kevin Stefanski is in his basement.
— Danny Cunningham (@RealDCunningham) December 20, 2021

From NFL Now: #Browns coach Kevin Stefanski heads back to his basement. pic.twitter.com/cOtywB4BmU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2021

Veteran Nick Mullens, who hasn't played this season and was only elevated to the Browns' active roster amid their COVID-19 outbreak, is starting at quarterback against the Raiders. With what would ultimately be considered an upset win, the Browns would move into a three-way tie alongside the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC North standings.

Cleveland defeated Cincinnati last month, and the rematch between those clubs occurs in Week 18. The Browns and Ravens split their season series.

Pittsburgh is 7-6-1 but beat Cleveland on Halloween. Those teams face off again in a "Monday Night Football" clash on Jan. 3.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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