Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum Fail to Test Out of COVID-19 Protocols

The Browns' game against the Raiders was bumped to Monday evening due to the widespread COVID-19 outbreak within the franchise. The extra time was not enough to get back quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum.

As reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Mayfield and Keenum could not clear COVID-19 protocols with the team's latest round of testing Monday. As a result, Nick Mullens will get the start, his first of the year.

Today's round of testing allowed the team to get safety John Johnson III back on to the active roster. Takk McKinley, Anthony Walker Jr. and Wyatt Teller were previously cleared. The team has also elevated seven practice squad players for the game, with 22 total players still out for Monday.

#Browns got John Johnson III back from COVID-19 list for #Raiders game, but that’s expected to be it, source said. Third-string QB Nick Mullens to start with Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum still on list. pic.twitter.com/lIrCLqgWCE
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) December 20, 2021

Mullens has 16 starts under his belt, with eight coming in 2018 and eight in '20, all for the 49ers. He's thrown for 4,714 yards, 25 touchdowns and 22 interceptions in 19 total appearances over the last three seasons. San Francisco was 5–11 in Mullens's starts.

In addition to numerous Cleveland players, Kevin Stefanski remains out and won't coach tonight's game, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Browns-Raiders was one of three games postponed this week as outbreaks roll through the sports world. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. ET, with Eagles-Washington Football Team and Seahawks-Rams both moved to Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET.

More NFL Coverage:

For more news on the Browns, head over to Browns Digest.

Add us as a preferred source on Google