NEWARK, NJ – Browns receiver Jarvis Landry struggled with a hip injury all season and fought off-season surgery to keep his 110-game streak alive, only to end on Sunday, being placed in reserve COVID-19 as a close contact with high risk.
Landry is one of five players – the first four recipients and a titular linebacker – who were placed on the list on Saturday night as close contacts with linebacker BJ Goodson, who tested positive for the virus.
Everyone should be left out of Sunday’s possible decisive game against 1-13 Jets, and Goodson will also miss the end of next week’s season against the Steelers because players with a positive test must stay away from the team for at least 10 days.
The others placed on the list as Goodson’s close high-risk contacts are recipients Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples-Jones and linebackers Jacob Phillips.
In addition, the club elevated receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley (Contagious Disease Addendum), linebacker Montrel Meander and receiver Derrick Willies from the training team. The only active receiver remaining on the list prior to calls for the training squad was Marvin Hall, who was claimed by resignations on December 7 from Detroit.
A source said the players did not celebrate Christmas together. A league source said the game is still being played because the NFL has determined that it is safe for other players and coaches to participate and that it is not a medical risk. Close contacts are expected to isolate themselves for five days and may return on the sixth day if they continue with the negative test, which means they can probably return to training on Thursday.
The Browns thought they might be out of danger when the rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who was placed in the COVID-19 reserve on Thursday as a close contact with someone outside the organization, was removed from the list and marked off. goes back to his local holder for the Jets game.
The game is huge for the Browns because they have a chance to win their first playoff spot in 18 years with a win and a loss or draw for Ravens, Dolphins or Colts.
Landry, who has been strong for the past four weeks, with 29 receptions and three TDs after failing to score his first 10 games, spoke on the subject on social media.
“ANGRY,” he tweeted.
The Browns will not only have to replace Landry in their pre-snap routes and movements, but they will also lose their arm.
“I knew he played the ball very well,” said offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on Thursday. “I probably didn’t pay enough attention to the type of route runner he was and the ability to separate the tight cover, make footprints of the competitors and everything. I’m sure he hit Bengals with a good shot from the right touchline against us a few years ago, so I obviously knew he could shoot well. “
The Browns were preparing for the afternoon flight to New Jersey on Saturday morning when they learned that Goodson, the Browns’ titular linebacker, had tested positive. At that point, they shut down the facilities, conducted meetings virtually, and delayed the 2:45 pm flight while tracking contacts. They also worked closely with the NFL on the next appropriate steps.
Losing Goodson was a big enough blow, because he is the inspirational leader of the defense, leading the team with a record of 91 tackles and being tied for first with two interceptions. If the Browns beat the Jets and the Steelers 11-3 lose to Colt 10-4, the Browns will have a chance to win the division at the end of the season for the first time since 1989.
“BJ does a good job, ” Stefanski said on December 7, the day after Goodson helped the Browns to beat the Titans 41-35. “He is definitely the emotional leader of the defense. You hear it before you see it. He gathers the guys in training and during games. He’s making great plays in these ball games to help us win. ”
With Goodson and Phillips out, Mack Wilson will have a chance to redeem himself after being kicked out last week, probably for performance. Phillips started in his place, but Wilson could be pressured into service either as a half-linebacker or on his usual weak side. The Browns also have Malcolm Smith and Tae Davis ready to take action.
When the news of contact tracking appeared, it couldn’t have been much worse, unless Baker Mayfield was on the list. Playing the lights for the past four weeks and moving up to 12th place in the NFL with a rating of 99.4, Mayfield will have to rely heavily on his tight limits and running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
In his last four games, Mayfield launched 10 touchdowns against just one interception, completed 70% of his passes and scored 117.7.
Fortunately for Mayfield, he will be facing an injury-ravaged Jets secondary who is playing with a rookie second-team cornerback, a third-team safety and a third-team nickelback.
The hard part is potentially not having the receiving body back until Thursday, with a possible playoff spot or the AFC North crown in play against the Steelers. Players must also continue with the negative test in order to return.
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