BEREA, Ohio — The clock is kicking down to kickoff on the Browns' rescheduled game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland is still waiting to see if more of its players currently sidelined by the coronavirus will be able to go Monday afternoon.
Sunday morning, they got an affirmative answer on one of those men, and it's a massive boost for the offensive line.
The team has activated offensive guard Wyatt Teller from the reserve/COVID-19 list. The 27-year-old had originally been placed on the list Tuesday after a positive test, meaning he has since tested negative twice at least 24 hours apart in the five days since.
Teller is one of the Browns' best linemen, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 before signing a four-year contract extension earlier this season. He has yet to miss a snap in 2021, a rarity for a club that has been ravaged by injuries and illnesses.
The return of Teller couldn't have come at a better time for Cleveland, which still has 19 active roster players on its COVID list. Because of the outbreak in Berea among what officials say are exclusively vaccinated players, the NFL made the decision to postpone their home game with the Raiders from Saturday to Monday, as well as two other league matchups from Sunday to Tuesday.
Of those who tested positive this week, Teller was joined by starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. as well as backup right tackle James Hudson III, who is now the starter with All-Pro Jack Conklin out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Though Teller will help fortify the O-line, Blake Hance is still currently in line to start at either of the tackle, and fellow tackle Alex Taylor has also been signed from the practice squad after previously seeing special teams action in two games this year. Other backups with the unit include center Nick Harris (one start at guard in 2020) and guard Michael Dunn (started last year's wild-card playoff game over the Pittsburgh Steelers).
Also on Sunday, the Browns officially placed defensive end Jadeveon Clowney on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This was expected, as he had reportedly tested positive on Friday just before the NFL moved the game.
In the wake of multiple outbreaks, the league updated its protocols this week to reduce testing for asymptomatic vaccinated players and also allow those who test positive but are asymptomatic an easier path to return to the field. But with a lack of clear specifics -- especially for those who already have the virus -- it is unknown how these new measures could help Cleveland.
Besides those on the active roster, head coach Kevin Stefanski and multiple assistants have also tested positive, along with several players on the practice squad. Those who are part of the 53-man group but currently on the Browns' COVID list are as follows:
- 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.
- 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
Apart from Teller, tight end David Njoku, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., and defensive end Takkarist McKinley were all on the list at some point this week but have since been activated and are expected to play. The Browns have until 2 p.m. Monday to finalize their roster for what will be a crucial showdown in the AFC playoff race.