Browns down 6 players for Jets game due to COVID protocols

CLEVELAND » The Browns will try to make the playoffs without four wide receivers, including Jarvis Landry, along with their starting middle linebacker and his likely replacement, because of a positive COVID-19 test and subsequent contact tracing.

Cleveland’s game against the New York Jets will be played as scheduled, an NFL spokesman said.

The stunning news for the Browns (10-4) came as the team was preparing to fly to the New York area — the flight was delayed more than four hours — and potentially lock up its first postseason berth since 2002, the league’s longest drought.

Starting linebacker B.J. Goodson was the first to be placed on the COVID-19 list after he tested positive. Then, after the team completed contact tracing, Landry and fellow receivers Rashard Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and KhaDarel Hodge were also placed on the list, knocking them out of the game.

Rookie linebacker Jacob Phillips, who may have started for Goodson, is also out.

The losses leave quarterback Baker Mayfield without most of his top targets. Landry, who has never missed a game in his seven seasons, leads the team with 67 catches for 789 yards in the absence of Odell Beckham Jr., who suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 25.

Per league rules, Goodson will miss Sunday’s game and the Jan. 3 matchup against Pittsburgh is also in question. The league says any player testing positive has to stay out at least 10 days before being eligible to return. Of course, that also depends on the player’s health.

The Browns elevated wideouts Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies from the practice squad along with linebacker Montrel Meander.

While the passing game could suffer, the Browns have one of the league’s best running attacks and coach Kevin Stefanski will likely lean on Nick Chubb (931 yards) and Kareem Hunt (793) against the Jets (1-13), who stunned the Los Angeles Rams last week.