The pandemic that devoured the Cleveland Browns: the list of COVID wallops for the Raiders contest

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As the season started to pick up again, bad news fell.

First, Kareem Hunt’s ankle injury report was not good. Next, CB Troy Hill was called “out” for this weekend’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders with a knee problem. According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, the pair will not be playing this week. For Hunt, his injury could last longer.

Today the beast is unleashed. The Browns front office announced that eight players have been placed on reserve / COVID-19 rosters. Not just any players either – a lot of starters.

These players are:

G Drew Forbes TE Austin Hooper WR Jarvis Landry DE Takkariste McKinley G Wyatt Teller T Jedrick Wills

Wide receiver JoJo Natson and tight end Ross Travis have also been placed on the training squad / COVID-19 roster.

Yeah, you read that right. Two starting offensive linemen plus the Browns starting tight end and Pro Bowler Landry. Ouch!

The Browns have entered the league’s enhanced COVID-19 protocols. Today’s meetings will be virtual. All staff at multiple levels are masked when inside.

Walkthrough scheduled for later this afternoon.

– Andrew Gribble (@Andrew_Gribble) December 14, 2021

The timing couldn’t be worse. The offense this season has struggled averaging just over 16 points per game over the past eight games. Hunt was supposed to be the necessary spark plug, but injured his left ankle in the Baltimore Ravens victory after catching a 5-yard pass from QB Baker Mayfield late in the first quarter. He did not come back but stood on the sidelines.

Earlier this season, Hunt had suffered strain in his right calf and it was believed he was finally healthy in order to help a struggling attack.

With losses to Division enemies the Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend, it took Cleveland from last place in the division to second place and just one game away from first place.

In addition, the Buffalo Bills lost, which saw the Browns move from 11th seed to eighth place, just one berth in the playoff race.

With just four games to go, it is estimated that if Cleveland can win three of their last four games, a playoff berth would be theirs.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski currently did not have details on who would replace those no longer available. At least it happened early enough in the week to prepare for what needs to happen and give these new starters some much-needed first-team reps in practice.

Daily COVID tests are done and Stefanski mentioned that he doesn’t know how long this protocol will be in place.

This is similar to last season, when the Browns had plenty of players against the lowly New York Jets and positioned themselves for a late playoff run. The end result was a 23-16 loss that nearly cost them a place in the playoffs.

With Landry in place, the offense did not use Rashard Higgins or Anthony Schwartz, and Ja’Marcus Bradley could be recalled from the practice squad again.

James Hudson Photo by Frank Jansky / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The loss of Teller and Wills is a whole different animal. Rookie James Hudson saw the starting action against Baltimore and had a good game. Blake Hance has had a roller coaster season and OG Michael Dunn has been used in one-off actions.

One thing is certain: Offensive line coach Bill Callahan will have the next man ready.

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