Jarvis Landry's consecutive game streak ends at 110 due to Covid-19 protocols. (Sporting News)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
The Browns’ resolve and resiliency will be tested like never before in this pandemic-marred season.
On the eve of possibly locking up their first playoff appearance in 18 years, the team had one starter test positive for Covid-19 and five other key players ruled out of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets for being high-risk close contacts.
The day began with a positive test coming back on linebacker B.J. Goodson.
While the team’s flight to New Jersey was delayed, contact tracing identified the following players as high-risk contacts:
Wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones, and linebacker Jacob Phillips.
They were left behind when the team departed for New Jersey about 7 p.m. – more than four hours after it was scheduled to leave Cleveland.
Theoretically, all the high-risk contacts could return for the season finale against Pittsburgh on Jan. 3. They would be eligible to return to practice on Thursday, if they continue to test negative. Goodson, the leading tackler and co-leader in interceptions, however, will not.
The Browns were allowed to elevate three players from their practice squad, per a recent rules change. They are receivers Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derek Willies, and linebacker Montrel Meander.
The game will be played at 1 p.m. and not rescheduled, per the league.
The situation evens the playing field against a 1-13 Jets team that is playing for nothing more than pride after winning its first game last week and losing the No. 1 overall spot in the 2021 draft.
The Browns (10-4) need the win, along with a loss by either Miami on Saturday night, or Indianapolis or Baltimore on Sunday. If the Colts beat Pittsburgh, the Browns could tie the Steelers for the AFC North lead. They then would play Sunday in FirstEnergy Stadium for the division championship and a home playoff game.
But the Browns do not have a playoff berth locked up yet, and conceivably could be eliminated from the seven-team AFC playoff field on tie-breakers if the wrong things happen. Two wins would clinch the Browns their first playoff berth since 2002.
The rash of player losses leaves the Browns’ offense with only three active receivers – Bradley and Willies, plus recently acquired Marvin Hall. Neither Bradley nor Hall have ever caught a pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield. Willies had three receptions in 2018, Mayfield’s rookie season.
It will mark the first game Landry misses in his seven-year career. His consecutive games streak – extended through a season-long hip injury last year and broken ribs this year – ends at 110 games.
The loss of Goodson and Phillips leaves the probable starters to be Sione Takitaki, Malcolm Smith and Mack Wilson, with seldom-used Tae Davis, Elijah Lee and Meander the backups.
The only bit of good news on this pivotal day was the Browns got back left tackle Jedrick Wills from the Covid reserve list. He is expected to start.