Jadeveon Clowney Tests Postive for COVID-19, The League may Consider Moving Game
The Cleveland Browns have lost yet another high profile starter to COVID-19 as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has tested positive per Kimberly A. Martin of ESPN. That brings the total to 20 players on the active roster that are currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
It also makes another position criminally undermanned as the Browns were almost limited on the edge. In addition to Clowney, the Browns were already without Takkarist McKinley and Ifeadi Odenigbo.
Aside from Myles Garrett, the Browns have practice squad options including Porter Gustin and Curtis Weaver. Sheldon Day could potentially play on the edge as well, but he may also be necessary to help fill in at defensive tackle.
Up to this point, the league has not budged on any thoughts of moving the game. However, ESPN's Dan Graziano is reporting the possibility is at least being discussed.
Moving the game to Monday or Tuesday would be a significant deal for the Browns. They could see a number of their asymptomatic players return in that time. Shorter term, that may help. The additional challenge for the Browns is they are scheduled to play the Green Bay Packers the following Saturday.
It also doesn't help that players are still testing positive, which won't be available even if the game is moved in no small part because of the NFL. The league is trying to play a shell game to shirk blame. Moving the game would help, but the NFL told the team to test only unvaccinated and symptomatic players before practicing. After the practice, they then made everyone else test, producing more positive results.
So the team is practicing with players it won't be able to use while exposing the rest of their roster for the virus, then causing them to miss time. That is the case with Clowney, linebackers Mack Wilson and Tony Fields II, who all tested positive on Friday.
If that's not bad enough, the Las Vegas Raiders are trying to push for the Browns to forfeit despite the fact the protocols specifically state forfeiting as a result of COVID-19 is regarding unvaccinated players. The Browns entire roster has just one player that is unvaccinated.
READ MORE: Browns Signing QB Kyle Lauletta, LB Mack Wilson Latest to Test Positive for COVID-19
