Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Browns QB Case Keenum, others positive for COVID-19

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/16/21

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:

Updated: #Browns safety Grant Delpit tests positive for COVID-19 shortly after the news of QB Case Keenum's positive test broke. That pretty much wipes out the safety room. Okay, every room. https://t.co/FvTzaHQ6iR
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 16, 2021

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:

Also, the NFLPA is currently pushing aggressively for a postponement of the Raiders-Browns game on Saturday. Some in the union believe the entire season should shut down for a week. The union is concerned about player safety and game integrity.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 16, 2021

#Browns C J.C. Tretter is the NFLPA president. He's in the middle of the team's run of positives this week. It's affecting him as a team leader and union leader. The league has held firm on playing the game as scheduled to this point. https://t.co/2C9aaZ7CQY
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 16, 2021

This may be why I heard many at the #Browns facility had the understanding today was going to be a non-testing day for them (unless already positive), until unexpectedly notified they had to test after practice. Moreover, typically when tested, it’s in the am, per league source. https://t.co/PlOoIaLdEF
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 16, 2021

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.

Makes ZERO sense and now the potential for even more spread because players who practiced are now positive. https://t.co/dtFMbrRM61
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) December 16, 2021

More must-reads: