Browns Down At Least 4 Receivers, Jacob Phillips Deemed Close Contacts for Jets Game

With their game against the New York Jets under 24 hours away, the Cleveland Browns have been notified that multiple wide receivers have been deemed close contacts per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Along with a report from May Kay Cabot, the Browns are currently set to be down Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples Jones at wide receiver and Jacob Phillips at linebacker.

A group of Browns wide receivers have been deemed High-Risk-Close-Contacts and Cleveland is awaiting word as to how many will not be able to travel to New York for Sunday’s game vs. Jets, sources tell @mortreport and me. Game is on but Browns likely without WRs and possibly a TE.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2020

The Browns are awaiting word from the NFL and how they must proceed. Schefter further notes that the Browns could be without at least four receivers in a game the Browns need to win against the Jets.

Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan People-Jones have been deemed High-Risk-Close-Contacts, per @mortreport and me. Browns awaiting further instruction but all three now could be out Sunday vs. Jets. https://t.co/TyMsq3IPhV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2020

It's been somewhat fortunate the Browns have been able to get production out of a number of players from that position and survived without a tight end in multiple games this season.

#Browns KhaDarel Hodge and LB Jacob Phillips will also miss the #Jets game; going on COVID-19 list
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 26, 2020

Nevertheless, finding out on a Saturday could completely throw their offensive game plan out the window if they are set to lose starting receivers.

If the NFL allows it, they could promote Ja'Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies. Beyond that, they have Kareem Hunt and tight ends that can play multiple roles. The Browns could utilize all four of their active tight ends if all else fails.

The Browns already placed linebacker B.J. Goodson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list after they reported a player had tested positive, which forced them to shut down the facility and delay their flight to New Jersey.

This likely still has them waiting to travel as they figure out exactly who could go.

Unfortunately, this is one of the risk with holidays as the NFL dealt with coming out of Thanksgiving. Now coming out of whichever holiday people celebrate related to the Winter solstice, if there are more friends and family around, there are increased chances to contract the virus or be deemed a close contact.

A game the Browns should wind handily against the Jets has now gotten complicated in a hurry.

Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Browns have been allowed to promote Ja'Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies, so along with Marvin Hall, that will be the group of receivers the Browns have for this game.

Marvin Hall on is the only receiver on the #Browns 53-man roster not ruled out for Sunday’s game against the #Jets, per source. The rest must sit out because of high risk close contact. They’re elevating Derrick Willies and Ja’Marcus Bradley from the practice squad.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 26, 2020

That appears to be the word from the NFL, so the Browns will be without five players, including four receivers and the game will take place as scheduled.

The Browns have placed Landry, Jones, Higgins Hodge and Phillips on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.