The Cleveland Browns will not be quite as shorthanded for their Week 16 game as they were in Week 15.
The Browns announced on Friday that they have activated starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, backup quarterback Case Keenum, and wide receiver Jarvis Landry — among others — from the reserve/COVID-19 list. At the same time, however, the Browns placed defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and kicker Chase McLaughlin on the list.
Still, it’s welcome news that the Browns will not have to rely on practice-squad player to start an important Saturday game against the Green Bay Packers. Nick Mullens was elevated to the active roster for last week’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, during which he completed 20 of 30 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. The Browns played the Raiders close and even took a lead with less than four minutes left in the game, but eventually yielded a game-winning field goal drive and lost 16-14.
Cleveland is now 7-7 with three games to play, and needs some help to make the postseason. A tough schedule featuring games against the Packers, Steelers, and Bengals looms, so getting starters back onto the field as quickly as possible can only help.
