2 min read • December 15, 2021
Posted in
COVID-19 has reared its ugly head on the NFL, with a total of 67 players placed on the COVID reserve list Monday and Tuesday. The Browns currently have 14 players on the COVID reserve list, putting them at a significant disadvantage against the Raiders this Saturday.
Upon the initial news of positive tests Monday, the line for the Saturday matchup moved from -5 Browns to -3 Browns. As of midday Wednesday, the line was +1.5 Browns, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc, said spikes in positive tests on Mondays will likely repeat for the remainder of the season. The league mandates testing for players on Mondays. After players who tested positive are placed on the COVID reserve list, close contacts are tested daily.
Those close contacts are at a higher risk for missing games because of the increased testing, Chao said.
As of midday Wednesday, six teams were in enhanced COVID protocols: the Rams, Browns, Lions, Vikings, Bears and the Washington Football Team.
Of the 36 players placed on the COVID list Monday, 15 (42%) were from those six teams.
Of the 31 players placed on the COVID list Tuesday, 27 (87%) were from those six teams.
Chao said the higher percentage Tuesday is not surprising because those six teams have more close contacts than other teams.
The Browns offense will likely be without Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper against the Raiders Saturday, plus running back Kareem Hunt is out due to injury.
For the latest on the Raiders/Browns SIC health scores check the matchup fieldview at https://sicscore.com/nfl/games/las-vegas-raiders-vs-cleveland-browns.
Written by
