What is new is old for the Cleveland Browns. The team will be without Odell Beckham Jr. for half of the season, just like in 2020 and, now, the team will be dealing with COVID-19 fallout just like in 2020.
Running backs Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton and John Kelly all went on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week and were joined by practice squad players Lawrence Cager and Bryan Mills.
Based on the current NFL COVID-19 protocols, the team will now enter enhanced protocols that are similar to some of the 2020 protocols for the team. Cleveland will have all of their meetings virtually, be required to wear masks while inside and do daily testing no matter vaccination status.
While the team is used to the virtual meetings and wearing a mask from last year, the daily testing could put more players at risk of missing Sunday’s game. Prior to the enhanced protocols, vaccinated players were only tested once a week.
Based on the information available, Chubb and Felton are fully vaccinated. To be able to return to practice and play, they only need two negative tests 24-hours apart. While hopes for this Sunday are slim, it is still possible that they could be active for the game.