CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns return trip to New York – or New Jersey for accuracy purposes – was delayed over four hours Saturday due to contact tracing relating to a positive COVID-19 test.
Before their plane left the runway, the Browns boarded without two linebackers and their top four receivers.
A total of six players were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday after linebacker B.J. Goodson tested positive for the virus.
Goodson, who may also have to miss the regular season finale against the Steelers, was first placed on the list Saturday afternoon.
Saturday evening linebacker Jacob Phillips along with receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge were added after being deemed high-risk close contacts.
Landry, who will be forced to miss his first NFL game, leads the team with 67 catches for 789 yards this season while Higgins. Peoples-Jones and Hodge have been key contributors of late.
With Goodson and Phillips sidelined, Mack Wilson will likely see a lot of snaps after being a healthy inactive by coaches decision last week against the Giants.
Defensive end Myles Garrett, who missed two games due to the virus, continues to deal with its aftereffects, including difficulty breathing.
The Browns were originally scheduled to take off at 2:45 p.m. but didn't land until after 8 p.m. for Sunday’s game with the Jets.
The team elevated receivers Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies along with linebacker Montrel Meander from the practice squad as COVID replacements.
A couple of the receivers did not take the news of being forced to remain home well.
Rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills, who was deemed a high-risk contact of someone who tested positive earlier this week, was activated from Reserve/COVID-19 Saturday and he will play.
The customary Saturday walk-through was not held because the facility was closed upon learning of the positive test in accordance with league protocols.
Cleveland faces a must-win situation Sunday against the Jets if they are to end the league's longest playoff drought, dating back to the 2002 season.
