Browns third-string QB readies in case
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. prides himself on the fact that he's one of the first Cleveland Browns players in the building every day.
But he has never beaten thirdstring quarterback Nick Mullens.
“Nick Mullens is always there before me,” Walker said. “A guy that comes in every day with the mindset that ‘I'm preparing like a starter because you never know what could happen,' and he's the epitome of that.
“Today at practice he made some great throws. I have nothing but respect for him and his process of being a true professional. Also, I have nothing but confidence he's going to go out and do a great job on Monday as well.”
With the Browns’ COVID-19 outbreak a fluid situation ahead of Monday’s rescheduled home game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Mullens took his first snaps with the first team Saturday.
Starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum are on the reserve/covid-19 list, and even with the league’s revamped protocols there’s no certainty one or both will be activated by Monday’s 2 p.m. cutoff before the 5 p.m. kickoff.
Released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 28, Mullens was signed to the Browns practice squad on Sept. 1.
“He’s a pro,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s been in our system, which is similar to what they were doing out in San Francisco. He understands how we operate. He’s been here long enough where he knows our cadence real well, the shifts, motions, those type of things, just based on his experience.
“He did a nice job [in practice], and we’re going to use this extra time to continue to answer any questions he may have and clear up the game plan and all those types of things.”
Mullens played for the 49ers from 2018-20 and went 5-11 as a starter. He has completed 64.5% of his career passes for 4,714 yards and 25 touchdowns with 22 interceptions.
“He’s made a bunch of plays in his career,” Stefanski said. “He’s played a lot of football in his career. His attitude is outstanding. ”
Even with his past experience, Mullens knows what kind of career opportunity Monday could be, if only to reintroduce himself to other teams.
“Any time you step on the field it’s a new opportunity, it’s a huge opportunity,” he said. “The goal is to play as long as you can. The only way you do that is prove it each and every day. I’ve been blessed in some really different ways to get my opportunities. So it’s up to me and up to our team to really just go take advantage of them.”
Mullens also realizes that if Mayfield or Keenum comes off the COVID-19 list, he will be relegated to the bench, or even back to the practice squad if both are available.
“This is my fifth year in the NFL and I’ve learned to expect anything, really,” he said.
The Browns could be without three offensive linemen slated to start — left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., right guard Wyatt Teller and rookie left tackle James Hudson III, all on the reserve/covid-19 list.