Browns COVID-19 outbreak: Case Keenum tests positive, team turns to third-string QB Nick Mullens
COVID crisis became more dire Thursday, when backup quarterback Case Keenum tested positive for the virus.
With starting quarterback Baker Mayfield landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Keenum had been set to start when the Browns (7-6) host the Las Vegas Raiders (6-7) on Saturday in a game crucial to Cleveland’s playoff hopes.
But like Mayfield, Keenum tested positive for a breakthrough case of the virus, a person familiar with the situation said.
Third-string quarterback Nick Mullens is now positioned to start against the Raiders. He joined the Browns on Sept. 1 when they signed him to their practice squad. He was activated from the practice squad Thursday as COVID/19 replacement.
Mullens played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2018-20 and went 5-11 as a starter. He has completed 64.5% of his career passes for 4,714 yards and 25 touchdowns with 22 interceptions for a passer rating of 87.2.
Safety Ronnie Harrison also tested positive Thursday, the Browns announced.
ESPN reported four defenders, including safety Grant Delpit, tested positive Thursday. A source confirmed Delpit’s test result. The Browns have yet to announce those developments while they work to finalize testing results.
COVID-19 protocol changes were on the horizon when he said Thursday afternoon he wouldn’t rule out any of his players who recently tested positive for the virus. The NFL and NFL Players Association released the details of the new rules they agreed upon shortly after Stefanski spoke to Browns beat writers on Zoom. The modified protocols increase the odds some vaccinated, asymptomatic Browns players could still play Saturday.
“Certainly when they tell me we have run out of days in terms of negative tests and those type of things, then it will be official, but I don’t know that we’re ruling any of those guys out just yet,” Stefanski said.
The Browns have until 4 p.m. Friday to activate players from the COVID-19 list in time for them to be eligible to play Saturday.
The Browns are expected to have more than 20 players on the COVID-19 list, with Keenum, Harrison, Deplit and others being added and tight ends David Njoku and Stephen Carlson (on injured reserve) being activated from the list Thursday.
At least 10 starters are on the list.
Stefanski tested positive Wednesday along with acting running backs coach Ryan Cordell.
Standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney missed Thursday’s practice with an illness but has tested negative for COVID-19 thus far, Stefanski said.
“Of course, I’m hoping that he’s negative,” All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett said on Zoom. “[Defensive line coach Chris] Kiff[in] has had a cold for a while, and it was just a cold. I’m hoping it’s the same thing with JD.”
The Browns announced they placed four players on the COVID-19 list last week, eight Tuesday and six Wednesday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday there had been no discussion about postponing Saturday’s game.
After the news of the Browns’ latest positive cases Thursday, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said there is no scheduling change to the game.
USA Today’s Josina Anderson quoted an unnamed Browns source who said, “I really don’t know how we’re being asked to play this game Saturday. [Raiders quarterback Derek] Carr might eat us alive.”
Mayfield expressed his displeasure with the league Thursday on Twitter.