BEREA, Ohio — With just over 48 hours to go before their rescheduled game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Browns' defense will get a key player back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, but another member of their already depleted offensive line is expected to be out.
The team on Saturday activated defensive end Takkarist McKinley just five days after he tested positive for the virus, meaning he likely tested negative twice at least 24 hours apart. However, offensive tackle James Hudson III was placed on the list, meaning Cleveland will have to go with its third-string right tackle with All-Pro Jack Conklin already on injured reserve.
The Browns have placed upwards of 20 players on their COVID list this week, a number so large that it forced the NFL to postpone Saturday's matchup with the Raiders until Monday. The club did not have to forfeit the contest because "every member of our organization who has recently tested positive was vaccinated," and league rules stipulate teams can only be penalized with losses if their outbreaks are among unvaccinated players.
A former first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons, McKinley has been a solid defensive piece with 2 1/2 sacks, and his return will help a unit that will reportedly be without Jadeveon Clowney after he also tested positive for the coronavirus. With McKinley testing negative twice after only being placed on the list Monday, it could also give the Browns hope that some of the players still in protocols could be available by kickoff.
Clowney is not officially on the list yet, but 19 others on the active roster are, and head coach Kevin Stefanski also contracted the virus along with multiple assistants and practice squad members. Cleveland says the "majority" of those on its list "are currently asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms," and the NFL recently updated its guidelines to make it easier for asymptomatic players to return to the field. No specifics on how that could work have been given yet.
After starting two games this year and filling in for Conklin on the right side last week, the rookie Hudson joins fellow starters Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills Jr. as the third Browns offensive lineman to be sidelined by COVID-19 this week. With Hudson now out, Blake Hance would be in line to start at right tackle, although he could also slide to the left since there is no backup listed for Wills on the team's depth chart. The club will likely have to promote someone from the practice squad, unless either Wills or Teller is able to return.
Besides McKinley, tight end David Njoku and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. were activated from COVID protocols after missing last Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens. On Saturday, Cleveland also added linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. and defensive end Porter Gustin from the practice squad for depth purposes.
Here is a full list of the players on Cleveland's active roster who are currently on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list or reported to be:
- QB Baker Mayfield
- QB Case Keenum
- RB Kareem Hunt (would've been out anyway with injury)
- WR Jarvis Landry
- TE Austin Hooper
- OT James Hudson III
- OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
- OG Wyatt Teller
- DE Jadeveon Clowney
- DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
- DT Malik McDowell
- LB Mack Wilson Sr.
- LB Tony Fields II
- LB Jacob Phillips
- CB A.J. Green
- CB Troy Hill
- S Grant Delpit
- S Ronnie Harrison Jr.
- S John Johnson III
- P Jamie Gillan