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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Roger Goodell: No discussion about postponing Browns-Raiders game despite COVID-19 issues

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/15/21

The 7-6 Cleveland Browns began the week with tight end David Njoku, punter Jamie Gillan and linebacker Anthony Walker on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Since then, the Browns added eight others to COVID-19 lists on Tuesday and then encountered additional setbacks Wednesday that included starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and cornerback Troy Hill all reportedly testing positive for the virus.

Per Kaylyn Hlavaty and Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland, the Browns now have 17 total players, Stefanski, and a running backs coach on the reserve COVID-19 list. Nevertheless, the show apparently must go on.

The #Browns currently have 17 players and 2 coaches on the COVID list. List is so long it won't fit in a tweet. pic.twitter.com/2ryDxKCV6W
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 15, 2021

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, commissioner Roger Goodell spoke with the media on Wednesday afternoon and confirmed Saturday's matchup between the Browns and 6-7 Las Vegas Raiders remains scheduled as planned:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, live now on @nflnetwork, says there has been no discussion on moving the #Browns #Raiders game in light of the COVID outbreak in Cleveland. “We feel confident with continuing changes and adaptions to our protocols we can do that.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 15, 2021

Goodell made his comments after Mark Maske of The Washington Post reported the league could alter protocols to allow players who test positive for COVID-19 but are vaccinated and asymptomatic to return to team activities sooner:

The NFL is checking with public health authorities about its plan to shorten the period by which a vaccinated, asymptomatic player could return to team activities following a positive covid test, source says.
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 15, 2021

This could be shortened to one negative test result instead of the current two, source says. If public health authorities give their consent to the NFL's plan and the NFLPA agrees, this could go into effect soon, source says, perhaps as soon as this week. https://t.co/K3dpJoApN4
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 15, 2021

The NFL's plan arises from the fact that it has found that most of the players who have tested positive this week do not have symptoms. https://t.co/n1DVy2xIq6
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 15, 2021

The NFL is seeking input from the CDC and other public health authorities on its plan to allow a vaccinated, asymptomatic player who tests positive to return to team activities following one negative test. That negative test potentially could even be a game-day rapid test. https://t.co/fdKGf9WYx4
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) December 15, 2021

Pelissero notes that 30 new NFL players tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

NFL players placed on COVID-19 lists the past 3 days:

Monday: 36 (all positive)
Tuesday: 29 (28 positive)
Wednesday: 31 (30 positive)

The three biggest in-season numbers over two years of COVID protocols.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 15, 2021

Goodell's update wasn't surprising, as it was previously reported the NFL wasn't shifting the Raiders-Browns contest on the Week 15 schedule. However, the game's status could change depending on the results of Cleveland's coronavirus testing over the next 48 hours.

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