One of the deeper positions on the Cleveland Browns roster has suddenly become a problem. Thanks to three COVID-19 positive tests, the Browns are going to be very shorthanded when they travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars in Week 12.
Porter Gustin joined fellow DEs Myles Garrett and Joe Jackson on Cleveland’s reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. Gustin started in place of Garrett in the team’s Week 11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but he will not be available this Sunday.
With the trio out, the Browns are down to Olivier Vernon and Adrian Clayborn currently on the active roster. That is it for now, though there is some wiggle room.
Cameron Malveaux is on the practice squad and is a strong candidate to move up. Another practice squad player, Joey Ivie, can play on the outside and did so at Florida in college.
Sheldon Richardson also has the ability to play end, something he did earlier in his career. The Browns do have some depth at DT, so expect to see Richardson line up on the edge at least some of the time in Jacksonville. Rookie Jordan Elliott and Vincent Taylor, who played well in the Week 11 win, could fill in Richardson’s DT role next to Larry Ogunjobi.
