Report: Keenum tests positive for COVID-19, Mullens in line to start

Cleveland Browns quarterback Case Keenum tested positive for COVID-19, leaving Nick Mullens as the likely starter for Saturday's game with the Las Vegas Raiders, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, Field Yates, and Kimberly A. Martin.

Baker Mayfield tested positive Wednesday, along with head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Mayfield and Keenum will need two negative tests in order to play in Week 15.

The NFL relaxed return-to-play guidelines Thursday, meaning the negative tests can now come on the same day instead of 24 hours apart as previously required.

Cleveland also has four defensive players - safeties Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison, cornerback A.J. Green, and linebacker Jacob Phillips - who tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, according to CBS Sports' Josina Anderson.

Cleveland's total number of positive tests this week now stands at 20, added Schefter.

A league official told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo there is no talk of the Raiders-Browns game being postponed or canceled.

The 7-6 Browns remain in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt after beating the division-leading Baltimore Ravens last week.

Mullens made 16 starts and three further appearances with the San Francisco 49ers from 2018-20 before joining the Browns in August. He racked up 4,714 yards and 25 touchdowns against 22 interceptions while producing a 5-11 record.

Copyright (C) 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.