The Browns activated quarterback Baker Mayfield from the COVID-19 list, clearing him to practice and play this week against Houston.
Mayfield had to isolate for several days after he had close contact with a staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus. The staffer has not been identified.
Cleveland placed Mayfield on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday when the team was on its bye week. He was not allowed to be at the facility Monday and participated in team meetings virtually.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoDavid Richard)
Mayfield is expected to practice Wednesday with the Browns (5-3), who reached the midway point of the season with a winning record for just the third time since 1999. They are trying to end an 18-year playoff drought, the league's longest.
Mayfield has thrown 15 touchdown passes and seven interceptions this season.
There has been a rise in coronavirus cases around the league recently. On Tuesday, the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers placed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. The Raiders won 16-6. The Cleveland Browns have placed quarterback Baker Mayfield on the ReserveCOVID-19 list after a staff member tested positive for the virus. The team, which is on a bye this week, released a statement Sunday, Nov. 8 saying it was notified on Saturday of the positive test. Mayfield is believed to have had close contact with the unidentified infected person. (AP PhotoDavid Richard)
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the team is following the league's mandated protocols closer than ever.
“At some points, there are going to be some unfortunate moments, but I can promise you all of our guys are being diligent about this,” Stefanski said. "No one, I can promise you, is flippant in any way about the rules, protocols, etc. All of us have to make sure that we stay on top of it.”
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Browns general manager Andrew Berry understands Baker Mayfield's hurt feelings. He doesn't agree with his assertion the team misled the quarterback, who is currently in limbo.
Mayfield recently said he felt “disrespected 100%” by the Browns, who told him they expected him to return as their starter next season before pursuing and signing Deshaun Watson to a record-setting, $230 million contract.
“I was told one thing and they completely did another,” Mayfield said on a podcast.
On Friday, Berry addressed Mayfield's claims, saying the team was open with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 about its plans.
"I've touched on this previously that we were transparent with our intentions with his reps,” Berry said. “That being said, I think we can all understand how Baker feels and sometimes things in the NFL, whether it’s team-related, coach-related, player-related, they may not work out.
"And Baker is a competitive and driven young man who’s had success as a quarterback and will continue to have success as a quarterback. So definitely understand it.”
Mayfield is still with the Browns as the team tries to work out a trade. There hasn't been much of a market to this point, and Cleveland's desire to deal him is complicated by the QB's $18.8 million contract next season.
At his pre-draft news conference Friday, Berry wouldn't comment on specifics whether a trade for Mayfield was imminent or the possibility he could be on Cleveland's roster after next week's draft.
“Quite honestly anything regarding speculation on the future, several months out, that’s probably unfair because we realize that circumstances in the NFL change, and quite honestly my focus has been on the draft next week, just because we’re inside of a week,” Berry said.
The GM dismissed whether Mayfield's comments would do any damage to the team's reputation in dealing with players.
“In terms of comments or anything, I really don’t pay a ton of attention to noise or kind of outside narratives, so that is really kind of a nonfactor,” he said. "We try and stay in communication with all of our player reps, especially with sensitive or unique situations, and this is no different.”
Mayfield's four-year stint with Cleveland likely ended after a season in which he struggled after injuring his left shoulder. The 26-year-old has been rehabbing after undergoing surgery, and as expected didn't report to the Browns' offseason program this week.
On Saturday, Mayfield will have a statue of his likeness unveiled following Oklahoma's spring game. That honor goes to the school's Heisman Trophy winners.
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