Earlier in the week, the Cleveland Browns placed tight end David Njoku on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
On Thursday, two more key players were added in the days leading up to the Week 14 must-win game against the Baltimore Ravens.
They are punter Jamie Gillan and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr.
Jamie Gillan
Punter Jamie Gillan is vaccinated.
However, there is not ample time to get two negative test results 24 hours apart.
#Browns punter Jamie Gillan tested positive for COVID-19 and is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the #Ravens, per sources. Gillan is fully vaccinated but likely not enough time to get two negatives.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 9, 2021
Mack Wilson is the backup punter.
https://twitter.com/CamSlamSavage/status/1468987461586010115
He has some experience from his Alabama days.
#Browns LB Mack Wilson punting at Alabama.
(Via Montgomery Advertiser) https://t.co/g9Wx9NZz12 pic.twitter.com/mWi1JO8lT1— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) December 9, 2021
If the Browns do not sign a punter and elect to go with Wilson, this could change the offensive game plan and spur the Browns to go for it on fourth down more frequently on Sunday.
The Browns tried out two punters earlier in the season.
One is no longer available.
Drue Chrisman was signed by the Steelers practice squad just yesterday.
Former Ohio State Punter Drue Chrisman did workout for the #Browns this season, however he was signed to the #Steelers PS yesterday. JK Scott is still a free agent.
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) December 9, 2021
JK Scott is still a free agent.
Punter news: The #Browns worked out free agent punter J.K. Scott today.
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) October 16, 2021
Anthony Walker Jr.
Perhaps more devastating is that linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. has also been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
He is the defensive signal caller and already missed time three games with an injury (Weeks 2 through 4).
John Johnson III will likely take over signal calling as he did with Walker’s previous absences.
As for filling Walker’s linebacker position, Elijah Lee, Malcolm Smith, and Jacob Phillips are the potential replacements.
Phillips returned to practice this week after suffering a preseason injury to his biceps tendon.
He has not been activated off of injured reserve yet.
#Browns DC Joe Woods said Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee and even Jacob Phillips are options to fill in for MLB Anthony Walker Jr., who’s on COVID-19 list. Phillips returned to practice this week, and Woods isn’t ruling out a return from IR in time for Sunday’s game.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) December 9, 2021
Conclusion
The concern with these Thursday positive test results is that there could be more coming as these players’ close contacts are more closely evaluated.
The Browns cannot afford to lose any more players before this Ravens game.
Their challenge is big enough without throwing in a COVID-19 catastrophe.
The last thing they need is to have players continue to test positive leading up to the game.
If that happens, it will start to feel like the 2020 game against the New York Jets.
Hopefully, history does not repeat itself.
NEXT: Baker Mayfield Says 'It's Crunch Time' For Browns
