CLEVELAND — As a crucial Week 14 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens approaches, it appears the Cleveland Browns will be without two more of their starters. On Thursday, the Browns announced that they have placed punter Jamie Gillan and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Earlier this week, Cleveland placed its leading receiver, tight end David Njoku, on the reserve/COVID-19 list. According to NFL rules, a player who is vaccinated for COVID-19 and tests positive is eligible to return after submitting two negative tests 24 hours apart, while unvaccinated players are subject to a minimum 10-day wait after testing positive.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that it was too early to know whether Njoku might be eligible to play vs. Baltimore on Sunday.
“You just do not know," Stefanski said. "Yeah sure, I am hopeful, but we have to plan if we do not have him. If we have him, that would be great.”
The potential absence of Walker could loom large for a Cleveland defense looking to slow down Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Without Walker on the field, veteran Malcolm Smith could be in line for an increase in playing time, with second-year linebacker Jacob Phillips having been designated for return from injured reserve after missing the first 12 games of the season with a biceps injury.
Meanwhile, Gillan is the only punter currently on the Browns' roster.
Laying claim to a 6-6 record, Cleveland enters Sunday's matchup with 8-4 Baltimore in desperate need of a win to keep pace in the AFC playoff race.