Four receivers out due to COVID-19 contact tracing

NEWARK, N.J.— Baker Mayfifield is going to wake up this morning and hope it was all a bad dream.

His entire starting wide receiving corps has been wipedout for Sunday’s game against the 1-13 Jets game as high- risk close contacts of linebackerB.J. Goodson, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.

JarvisLandry, who’s fought through injuries to never miss a gamein his career, will miss his fifirst one as a close contact. SowillRashard Higgins, DonovanPeoples-Jones, KhaDarel Hodge and linebacker Jacob Phillips.

Goodson will sit out the final two regular season games because a playerwho tests positive must miss at least 10 days.

The game will still be played, and theBrowns have a chance to clinch a playoffff spot for the fifirst time in 18 years.

The Browns were heading to New Jersey yesterday for the game when they got the news that Goodson tested positive. They closed their facility and their flflight was delayed as they worked through the contact tracing.

The only thing that would’ve been worse is if Mayfifield had been a close contact.

Goodsonwill be replaced byTae Davis, Malcolm Smith or Mack Wilson, who was benched last week because of a coach’s decision. It’s a chance forWilsonto redeem himself from subpar play and whatever else earned caused him to be a healthy scratch last week.

On a brighter note for the Browns, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.’s excellent rookie season will continue uninterrupted.

Wills was activated offff the COVID-19 reserve list on Saturday and is set to face the 1-13 Jets.

The Browns also elevated center Javon Patterson fromthe practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement.

It’s an important game for the 10-4 Browns, who can clinch their fifirst playoffff spot in 18 years with some help. Avictory by the Browns and a loss or tie by Ravens, Dolphins or Colts gets them in for the fifirst time since 2002.

Wills was placed on the COVID-19 list Thursday.