Baker Mayfield has 'no symptoms,' hopes to play for Cleveland Browns Monday

Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL did Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns a solid by moving their originally scheduled Saturday afternoon game against the Las Vegas Raiders to Monday afternoon.

As with multiple teams around the NFL, the Browns are dealing with a massive COVID-19 outbreak. Among the 20 players currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Baker Mayfield tested positive last week. He joins fellow quarterback Case Keenum in baing on said list — leaving practice squad signal caller Nick Mullens in line to start.

There might be some good news on this front. Mayfield took to Instagram Sunday evening, noting that he is “blessed to be healthy and have no symptoms,” while “praying to test negative for COVID.”

The Browns are preparing for the likelihood that they’ll be without all of the players currently on the COVID list. However, a negative test ahead of Monday’s huge game against the Raiders would change this dramatically.

With or without Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns have a real opportunity

Cleveland-Browns-Baker-Mayfield — Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field following an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal] Browns 6

By virtue of the Baltimore Ravens’ narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Cleveland can take over first place in the ultra-competitive AFC North with a win over the Raiders.

The team currently sits at 7-6 and a half game behind both Baltimore and the Cincinnati Bengals in the division. However, it also holds the tie-breaker over both rivals. A win here would also put a total of six AFC teams at 8-6 heading into Week 16. That’s insane stuff right there.