CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have placed another quarterback on the COVID-19 list -- albeit, not one they were planning on counting on anytime soon. On Wednesday, the Browns announced that they have re-added quarterback Nick Mullens to their practice squad, as well as the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The 26-year-old Mullens finds himself on the COVID-19 list less than two weeks after he started Cleveland's Week 15 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Having spent the majority of the 2021 campaign on the Browns' practice squad, Mullens started in place of Cleveland's starter Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum, who were each placed on the COVID-19 list before returning in time to play in a Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day.
In what marked his lone playing time to this point in the 2021 season, Mullens completed 20 of his 30 pass attempts for 147 yards and one touchdown vs. the Raiders. Mullens' six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harrison Bryant had given the Browns a 14-13 lead with 3:47 remaining, before Las Vegas managed to win the game on a 48-yard field goal by kicker Daniel Carlson as time expired.
In addition to placing Mullens on the COVID-19 list, Cleveland signed kicker Chris Blewitt to its practice squad. Kicking in place of starter Chase McLaughlin, who remains on the COVID-19 list, Chris Naggar made his lone field goal attempt from 37 yards, but missed one of his two extra-point tries.
Laying claim to a 7-8 record, the Browns will look to break their two-game losing streak when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.