Baker Mayfield can return to work as soon as Wednesday after multiple negative tests for Covid-19. (FoxSports)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Good time for the Browns’ bye week.
You can double down on that statement after the club was forced to place Baker Mayfield on the Covid-19 reserve list Sunday morning when it learned the quarterback came in close contact with a staff member that tested positive for the coronavirus.
According to a Browns statement, the club learned Saturday morning of the positive test result for the undisclosed staff member. After contact tracing was done, Mayfield was immediately self-isolated in compliance with league protocols.
Per policy agreed to by the league and union, clubs may not disclose whether a player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19. It is believed Mayfield has not tested positive. He can return to the team facility after testing negative multiple times.
If the Browns were not on their bye week and had a game on Sunday, Case Keenum would have made his first start for the Browns.
Mayfield has started 37 consecutive games for the Browns since taking over for Tyrod Taylor in the fourth game of his rookie season on Sept. 30, 2018.
If Mayfield continues to test negative, he could be back on the field on Wednesday, the first major practice day prior to the next game Nov. 15 against the Houston Texans.