Friday's NFL: Browns activate Mayfield; Foles to start for Bears
Cleveland — Baker Mayfield moved a step closer to playing against Aaron Rodgers on Christmas as the Browns activated their quarterback from the COVID-19 reserve list Friday before leaving for Green Bay.
Mayfield has been out since testing positive on Dec. 15, one of a slew of virus cases the past two weeks for the Browns. He missed Monday’s game against Las Vegas as Cleveland started third-string QB Nick Mullens, numerous backups and lost.
Mayfield hasn’t practiced in nearly two weeks, but coach Kevin Stefanski, who returned earlier this week after his second positive test in two seasons, said Thursday he anticipated Mayfield starting against the Packers (11-3) as the Browns (7-7) try to bolster their flimsy playoff chances.
The virus continued to wreak havoc across the league, forcing teams to make adjustments in the season’s final weeks.
Indianapolis All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and Jacksonville pass rusher Josh Allen were the most notable new names to go on reserve/COVID-19 lists that seem to change by the minute.
Losing Nelson is a major blow to the Colts, who are hoping to stay in the AFC South race and play at Arizona on Saturday.
Mayfield won’t be cleared until Saturday, when his 10-day quarantine expires. He won’t have to produce a negative COVID-19 test, something he hasn’t done despite being asymptomatic and feeling fine.
Per NFL rules, Cleveland was required to put Mayfield on its roster by 4 p.m. in order for him to be eligible. He’ll travel to Wisconsin separately from the team.
Along with Mayfield returning, the Browns will break in a brand new kicker against the Packers and will be much closer to full strength.
Struggling Chase McLaughlin, who has missed five of his last 11 field-goal tries including a critical 47-yarder in the 16-14 loss to the Raiders, was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list shortly before departed Cleveland.
McLaughlin’s job appeared in jeopardy after his crucial miss, but Stefanski was planning to stick with him before his positive test.
Rookie Chris Naggar was elevated from the practice squad to kick against the Packers.
Also, the Browns activated top wide receiver Jarvis Landry, backup QB Case Keenum, cornerback A.J. Green and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo.
The Packers activated Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark from the reserve/COVID-19 list after he was unable to play Sunday in a 31-30 victory at Baltimore.
Green Bay also placed linebacker Chauncey Rivers on the reserve/COVID-19 list, elevated offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen from the practice squad to the active roster for Saturday's game as a COVID-19 replacement and placed linebacker Ty Summers and wide receiver/kick returner Malik Taylor on injured reserve.
In addition to Allen, the Jaguars will be without receiver Laviska Shenault and guard Ben Bartch for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets after the trio went on the COVID-19 list.
Allen's unvaccinated and will be out at least 10 days, according to current NFL protocol. He also will miss the team’s Jan. 2 game at New England.
The Jets, who have been hit hard this week by the coronavirus, activated wide receiver Jeff Smith and special teams ace Justin Hardee from the COVID-19 list — making them eligible to play against Jacksonville.
New York still has 17 players on the list who are either on the active or practice squad rosters, or injured reserve.
Jets coach Robert Saleh also remains out after testing positive earlier in the week. He needs two negative tests to be cleared to coach the game. If not, tight ends coach Ron Middleton will handle Saleh’s duties.
Buffalo placed Gabriel Davis on its reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving the Bills without another key receiving threat for Sunday’s big game against the Patriots.
The Jaguars (2-12) have had few players land on the COVID-19 list this season, and Allen even addressed Wednesday how he has handled daily testing as an unvaccinated player.
“(Even) if I was vaccinated, I will always take care of myself,” he said. “I have a young family at home, so I try to not only protect myself but protect them as well. ... For me, I come to work and wear my mask and made the decision for myself and my family so now I have to stick with it.
“Thankfully, didn’t have to miss a game due to that and just continue to stay safe and continue to do my job and do my part. A lot of my teammates also know so they are all aware what’s good to do and what’s not good to do so thankful for those guys.”
Davis joined slot receiver Cole Beasley on Buffalo’s list. Davis had two touchdowns and a season-high 85 yards receiving in last weekend’s 31-14 win over Carolina, filling in for Emmanuel Sanders after he was sidelined by a knee injury.
Sanders is in position to return after he practiced fully on Thursday.
Buffalo (8-6) is right behind AFC East-leading New England (9-5), but has the tiebreaking edge to clinch its second division title by winning its final three games of the season.
Offensive lineman Cody Ford also was added to the Bills’ reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, and coach Sean McDermott said special teams coordinator Heath Farwell and defensive line coach Eric Washington were in the protocols.
Ford was starting in place of Jon Feliciano, whose status is uncertain after he was placed on the list on Sunday.
Tennessee has placed an offensive lineman on the COVID-19 list three straight days, with left tackle Taylor Lewan joining left guard Rodger Saffold and reserve lineman Kendall Lamm on the list.
Lewan was scratched from Tennessee’s 20-17 win over the 49ers on Thursday night because of an injured back.
But the Titans activated WR Dez Fitzpatrick and defensive back Jamal Carter off the COVID list. Carter is on the practice squad/injured list.
Nick Foles to start at QB for Bears against Seattle
The Chicago Bears will start third-string quarterback Nick Foles on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Starting QB Justin Fields suffered an ankle injury on Monday night against Minnesota and missed practice Thursday and Friday. Chicago's other QB, Andy Dalton, has been out with a groin injury that happened just before he went on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week.
Foles started seven games last year for the Bears, but hasn't played since Week 10 of last season when he got a hip injury other than a relief appearance last December in a win over Jacksonville. Foles also was named Super Bowl LII MVP with Philadelphia.
Chicago coach Matt Nagy said Friday that recently acquired Ryan Willis could be the QB backup if Fields' ankle hasn't healed enough for him to play in case of an injury to Foles.
“His injury has not gotten worse since the beginning of the week, it’s getting better,” Nagy said.
Dalton is off of the COVID-19 list, but Nagy said the groin injury “started feeling a little bit worse” after a practice this week.
Nagy said Foles looked sharp at Friday's practice.
“I know just the practice we came from right now he really was out there doing a lot of good things,” Nagy said. “You can see the timing.”
More QB issues for Ravens: Huntley misses practice
Tyler Huntley missed practice Friday for the Baltimore Ravens with an illness, adding even more uncertainty to the team's quarterback situation heading into this weekend's showdown at Cincinnati.
Huntley is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, which pits the AFC North co-leaders against each other. Lamar Jackson, who missed last weekend's loss to Green Bay with a sprained ankle, is also questionable after missing practice this week.
Huntley ran the Baltimore offense pretty well last weekend, throwing for two touchdowns and running for two. If Jackson and Huntley can't play, the Ravens may need to turn to veteran Josh Johnson, who signed with Baltimore before last week's game.