Browns’ Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones, KhaDarel Hodge, B.J. Goodson, Jacob Phillips on COVID-19 list and out for Jets game

NEWARK, N.J. — Browns receiver Jarvis Landry battled through a hip injury all last season and fought his way back from offseason surgery to keep his cherished 110-game streak alive, only to have it end on Sunday against the Jets by being placed on the COVID-19 reserve as a high-risk close contact.

Landry is one of five players — the top four receivers and a starting linebacker — who were placed on the list Saturday evening as close contacts of linebacker B.J. Goodson, who tested positive for the virus. The others are receivers Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge and Donovan Peoples-Jones; and linebacker Jacob Phillips.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported early Sunday morning that the close contact with Goodson occurred in the team’s recovery pool area, which includes a hot tub and cold tub. The NFL also has video of one of the players not wearing a mask correctly during another encounter, Pelissero reported.

All six players must sit out Sunday’s potential playoff-clinching game against the 1-13 Jets, and Goodson will also miss next week’s season finale against the Steelers because players who test positive must remain away from the team for at least 10 days.

In addition, the club has elevated (Contagious Disease Addendum) receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley, linebacker Montrel Meander and receiver Derrick Willies from the practice squad. The only active receiver left on the roster before the practice-squad call-ups was Marvin Hall, who was claimed off waivers Dec. 7 from Detroit.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told cleveland.com the game is still being played because medical personnel determined that other coaches and players are not at risk of virus transmission and that they’ve identified all the possible close contacts. The contacts must isolate for five days and can return on the sixth day if they continue to test negative, meaning they can likely return to practice on Thursday.

The Browns thought they might be out of the woods when rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who was placed on the COVID-19 reserve Thursday as a close contact of someone outside the organization, was activated off the list and penciled back into his starting spot for the Jets game.

The game is huge for the Browns because they have a chance to clinch their first playoff spot in 18 years with a victory over the Jets and a loss or tie by the Raven or Colts. The Dolphins made the road a little tougher with their last-second 26-25 victory over the Raiders Sunday night to improve to 10-5. If they had lost, the Browns would have only needed to beat the Jets to get in.

If the Browns finish the season in a four-way tie at 11-5 including the Ravens, they’d be eliminated from playoff contention.

Landry, who’s come on strong the last four weeks with 29 receptions and three TDs after not scoring his first 10 games, weighed in on the matter on social media. The absence snaps a string of 110 straight games over his seven NFL seasons. He also leads the team with 67 receptions and 789 yards.

“ANNOYED,’’ he tweeted.

The Browns not only have to replace Landry on his routes and presnap motions, they’ll also miss his arm.

“I knew he could throw the ball really well,’’ offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Thursday. “I didn’t probably pay enough attention to the type of route runner he was and the ability to separate versus tight coverage, make contestant catches and all of that. I am pretty sure he hit the Bengals with a nice throw down the right sideline against us a few years ago so I obviously knew he could throw it well.”

Higgins, one of Mayfield’s favorite targets, was also upset.

“I don’t even have COVID,’’ he tweeted. “This s— sucks!!!”

The Browns were gearing up for their afternoon flight to New Jersey on Saturday morning when they got word that Goodson, the starting middle linebacker, had tested positive. At that point, they closed the facility, conducted meetings virtually and delayed their 2:45 p.m. flight while they conducted contact tracing. They also worked closely with the NFL on the appropriate next steps.

Losing Goodson was a big enough blow, because he’s the defense’s inspirational leader, leading the team with a career-high 91 tackles and being tied for first with two interceptions. If the Browns beat the Jets and the 11-3 Steelers lose to the 10-4 Colts, the Browns will have a chance to win the division for the first time since 1989 in the Jan. 3 season finale.

“B.J. does a good job,’’ Stefanski said on Dec. 7, a day after Goodson helped the Browns beat the Titans 41-35. “You hear him before you see him. He rallies the guys at practice and during the games.’’

With Goodson and Phillips out, Mack Wilson will have a chance to redeem himself after being benched last week, presumably for performance. Phillips started in his place, but Wilson could be pressed into service either at middle linebacker or at his usual weak side spot. The Browns also have Malcolm Smith and Tae Davis ready to step in.

When the contact tracing news hit, it couldn’t have been much worse unless Baker Mayfield had been on the list. Playing lights out the last four weeks and climbing to No. 12 in the NFL with a 99.4 rating, Mayfield will have to rely heavily on his tight ends and on running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

In his past four games, Mayfield has thrown 10 touchdowns against only one interception, completed 70% of his passes and earned a 117.7 rating.

Fortunately for Mayfield, he’ll be going against an injury-ravaged Jets secondary that’s playing a second-team rookie cornerback, a third-team safety and a third-team nickelback. The Jets are 29th overall on defense, including 14th against the run, and 30th against the pass. They’re also 28th in points allowed with 29.5 per game.

The Browns will also rely heavily on their excellent tight ends in Austin Hooper, David Njoku and Harrison, and their premier running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who could be used more as a receiver in this game.

What’s more, Mayfield already has natural chemistry with Willies, who played with him at Texas Tech before Mayfield transferred to Oklahoma, and got many reps with him in their rookie year in 2018 after Willies was signed as an undrafted free agent. Willies broke his collarbone during practice that year and spent the next season on the practice squad, but he’s caught many passes from Mayfield, who trusts him.

Willies was re-signed to the practice squad on Nov. 17.

By 7 p.m., the Browns departed for New Jersey, 4 hours and 15 minutes later than anticipated. By then, there were many empty seats on the flight and six key contributors at home wondering what hit them.

The hard part will be potentially not having the receiving corps back until Thursday with possibly a playoff berth or the AFC North crown on the line against the Steelers. The players must also continue to test negative to be able to return.

To date, more than 25 individuals throughout the NFL identified as high risk contacts have turned positive.

The Browns have already been dealing with COVID-19 on a weekly basis with Myles Garrett still taking breathing treatments and fighting through lingering effects of the virus. He had a coughing fit after last week’s 20-6 victory over the Giants and is hoping to be closer to his usual self by the playoffs.

–

New Browns face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Browns-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NFL proceeds donated to CDC Foundation.

More Browns coverage

B.J. Goodson tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Jets and Steelers; Wills Jr. activated

The Browns’ scorching offense and 3 other things to watch against the Jets

Christmas gift for fans? A good draft from a smart organization – Terry’s Talkin

Browns vs. Jets: Darryl Slater of NJ.com previews Sunday’s game (Video)

Are there positives in working remotely? Is the future at safety set? Browns takeaways

Landry: Browns fans deserve ‘the success and the promising future’

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.