The Cleveland Browns are hours away from kickoff against the Las Vegas Raiders.
This Week 15 game will be unprecedented as the Browns have 19 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Stefanski: "I think the extra time certainly helps guys get ready who really hadn't had a ton of reps."#Browns pic.twitter.com/PPOMRAc8O3
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 20, 2021
Postponing the game did not result in many players coming off the list; however, it did allow more practice time for substitute players.
https://twitter.com/gdufouriii/status/1472999387458637830
Here is the roster by specialty as published on the team’s official website.
1. Offense
The Browns offense was most impacted by COVID-19 so here is what we can expect.
At quarterback, Nick Mullens will be the starter with backup Kyle Lauletta available if necessary.
The running backs will definitely help Mullens; only Kareem Hunt is out.
You know that just about EVERY #Browns fan hopes they will see a LOT of this tonight!#BrownsTwitter is off the hook today! pic.twitter.com/ykffdS2FiN
— Barry Cunningham (@barrycunningham) December 20, 2021
Available today are: Nick Chubb, D’Ernest Johnson, Demetric Felton, John Kelly, and fullback Andy Janovich,
At tight end, David Njoku is back which is a huge benefit.
Tight end roster includes Njoku, Harrison Bryant (questionable), and rookie Miller Forristall whom we got to see more of in the recent Building the Browns episode.
Jarvis Landry will be missed at wide receiver, but in some respects, the Browns are deeper at wide receiver today than they have been at other points this season.
Available wide receivers include Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins, Anthony Schwartz (questionable), Ja’Marcus Bradley, and Lawrence Cager.
The great news about getting Wyatt Teller back is a huge asset to the offensive line.
Linemen for today are
Guards:
- Joel Bitonio
- Wyatt Teller
- Michael Dunn
- Hjalte Froholdt
Centers:
- JC Tretter
- Nick Harris
Tackles:
2. Defense
@Flash_Garrett I'm gonna need 3-4sacks today please n thank you 🤘🤘🤘🐐
— (JC) (@cornell_kingj23) December 20, 2021
The defensive line will have DE Myles Garrett, DE Takkarist McKinley, DT Malik Jackson (questionable), DT Sheldon Day, DT Jordan Elliott, DT Tommy Togiai, DT Josiah Bronson, DE Porter Gustin, and DE Joe Jackson at its disposal today.
Notable absences are Jadeveon Clowney and Malik McDowell.
Anthony Walker is back in as linebacker which is good news since Mac Wilson, Jacob Phillips, and Tony Fields are out.
Besides Walker, other linebackers today are Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Malcolm Smith, Sione Takitaki, Elijah Lee, and Willie Harvey Jr.
Safety John Johnson III was activated this morning.
He joins Richard LeCounte III, M.J. Stewart Jr., Jovante Moffatt, and Tedric Thompson on today’s roster.
Ronnie Harrison and Grant Delpit remain out.
3. Special Teams
Punter Jamie Gillan remains out.
On special teams today are P Dustin Colquitt, K Chase McLaughlin, and LS Charley Hughlett.
4. Coaching Staff
#Browns HC Kevin Stefanski will not coach tonight’s game against Las Vegas due to COVID protocols. @AdamSchefter
— DMSportsCentral (@ManLikesSports) December 20, 2021
Coach Stefanski will not be available today.
Acting head coach Mike Priefer will reprise his role from January when he guided the team to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will be calling the plays as he did in the Steelers win from the 2020 season.
Browns Are Underdogs
With all of this disruption of normal activity, the Browns are the underdogs today.
First place in the AFC North is on the line so hopefully these players can play inspired football to get this team one of its most improbable victories in franchise history.
NEXT: 3 Keys To A Browns Victory Over The Raiders
