CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Regardless of how their testing goes this week, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback baker Mayfield could be on the field Saturday in Green Bay.
They both could test out of the protocols before Christmas day but if they don’t, NFL rules would allow them to return 10 days after they tested positive.
Stefanski and Mayfield tested positive for COVID-19 on December 15.
“You really circle Day 10 for all of us and Day 10 occurs for different people on different days,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, the hope is that guys test out sooner than that so that you can get them in the building and get them back going physically, mentally, get them back out at practice and those type of things.”
If they don’t test out sooner, Stefanski and Mayfield would have to make separate travel plans from the team to comply with league protocols, but they would be eligible to participate on Christmas.
The Browns aren’t expected to regain anyone from the COVID lists until Wednesday.
“I do not believe anybody has cleared the protocols, including myself,” Stefanski said. “I have not been able to clear the protocols yet. As you know, it is kind of hurry up and wait. You are at the mercy of the testing, and you wait to see when we get guys back.”
Mayfield potentially may not practice for two weeks heading into the Green Bay game. Stefanski sidestepped a question about starting Mayfield.
“I’m not going to deal in speculation,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, we’re all hopeful that we all test out sooner than that, but we’ll talk about that as the week goes on.”
The Browns were without 18 members of the active roster, three from the practice squad and three coaches, including Stefanski for Monday night’s 16-14 loss to the Raiders.
“Talked to a bunch of the guys yesterday and a lot via text message. It is frustrating,” Stefanski said. “I think the overwhelming feeling is that we want to be out there to help the team. You want to be out there to fight with your guys. It is really frustrating when you can’t be out there. We will just continue to help in any way we can and just wait for the testing to allow us to come back.”
Receiver Jarvis Landry, tight end Austin Hooper, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., guard Drew Forbes, cornerback Troy Hill, defensive tackle Malik McDowell and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo would also all be eligible to play Saturday.
Landry, Hooper, Wills and Forbes would be permitted to return to the team Friday, and travel because they tested positive a day earlier than Stefanski and Mayfield.
