A quarterback returned to practice for the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, two days before Saturday’s home game with the Las Vegas Raiders.
It was not Baker Mayfield.
Nick Mullens was activated from the team’s practice squad and tight end David Njoku returned from the COVID/reserve list, but Mayfield was not available again, and his chances of facing the Raiders appear to be slim.
Mayfield was among a number of Cleveland players and staff on the COVID list. Safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. was added to that list on Thursday, and tight end Stephen Carlson was activated from it.
Health and safety protocols require players to test negative twice in a 24-hour span to be able to return to team activities.
Without Mayfield, the Browns would start Case Keenum at quarterback on Saturday.
Keenum, 33, who is in his ninth NFL season, has played in six games this year and has started one. He has completed 30 of 48 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown, with no interceptions.
Mullens, 26, is a fourth-year quarterback out of Southern Mississippi. He hasn’t played this season but has appeared in 19 games (16 starts) lifetime, all for the San Francisco 49ers. He is 387-for-600 for 4,714 yards and 25 TDs, with 22 interceptions.
–Field Level Media