CLE Browns Down To 3rd String Quarterback For Monday Night Football

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns will start third-string quarterback Nick Mullens on Monday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The team's two other quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum, both tested positive for COVID-19 last week and have been ruled out for the game, the NFL announced. In fact, almost none of the players who previously tested positive for the virus are eligible for the contest.

Mullens, who is 26 years old and 6 feet, 1 inches tall, previously was with the San Francisco 49ers.

To compensate for the losses, the Browns activated the following players from the practice squad:

• CB Brian Allen
• G Hjalte Froholdt
• DE Joe Jackson
• RB John Kelly
• CB Herb Miller
• S Jovante Moffatt
• S Tedric Thompson

The Browns are fighting for a playoff spot in a crowded AFC North. The Bengals and Ravens are both 8-6 after their games Sunday, while the Steelers are 7-6-1. Cleveland is currently 7-6 and could join the logjam at the top of the division or fall to last place, depending on Monday's game.

Mayfield went on a Twitter tirade over the weekend, blasting the NFL for its COVID-19 protocols. He wondered if the league was actually concerned with player or safety or just optics. You can see his tweets below.