JETS NOTES
The Browns will be without their top three wide receivers for Sunday’s game against the Jets.
Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones all have been deemed high-risk close contacts of someone with COVID-19 and will miss the game at MetLife Stadium after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. In addition, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and linebackers B.J. Goodson and Jacob Phillips were also placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list.
Those transactions left the Browns with one wide receiver — Marvin Hall — on their 53-man roster. They elevated receivers Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies from the practice squad to give them three receivers for Sunday’s game.
Cleveland had to alter its travel plans Saturday, moving their flight to New Jersey from 2:45 p.m. to 7 p.m., after learning Goodson had tested positive for COVID-19. The rest of the players were deemed close contacts. The Browns also closed their training facility.
The Browns (10-4) can secure a playoff spot with a win over the Jets and some help in other results.
Landry, Higgins and Peoples-Jones all played last week against the Giants. Landry leads the Browns with 67 catches and 789 yards, and he has three receiving touchdowns. Higgins leads Cleveland with four receiving touchdowns and is second on the team with 35 catches and 544 receiving yards. Peoples-Jones has 13 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns this season.
The game is still on as scheduled. The NFL has shown it takes a lot to move a game and has not canceled any games this season. The Lions played the Buccaneers on Saturday even though Detroit was without its interim head coach, defensive coordinator and three position coaches due to close-contact quarantine rules. Earlier this season, the Broncos had to play the Saints without a true quarterback after one Denver quarterback tested positive and the others were ruled out after coming in close contact with him.
Cleveland did get some good news related to the reserve/COVID-19 list, activating rookie left tackle Jedrick Wills.
The Jets activated rookie RB La’Mical Perine off injured reserve. Perine missed the past four games with a highankle sprain. They also elevated LBs Noah Dawkins, Sharif Finch and Brady Sheldon from the practice squad.