Browns could be without Jarvis Landry, Rashad Higgins, Donovan Peoples-Jones in Week 16 due to COVID-19

UPDATE: KhaDarel Hodge has also been deemed a high-risk close contact, so that’s four of the team’s wide receivers expected to sit on Sunday.

The Cleveland Browns are facing COVID-19 issues as they approach a Week 16 contest against the New York Jets. Adam Schefter is reporting Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, and Donovan Peoples-Jones have all been deemed high-risk close contacts.

ESPN reported the Browns were awaiting further word on how to handle the situation. If the contact happened within the past four days, it means they would not be eligible for Sunday’s game even if they test negative.

Those are the Browns top three wide receivers, leaving them with Marvin Hall and KhaDarel Hodge as their only two receivers. They have two receivers on their practice squad: Ja’Marcus Bradley and Derrick Willies. They could promote both for Sunday’s game if they were without their top three.

It’s safe to say the Browns would lean all the more on their rushing attack if they were without their top three receivers. Baker Mayfield would find himself leaning on Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant, and David Njoku that much more in the passing game. If Mayfield was going to be your guy, he still benefits facing an awful Jets defense, but he could see a bit of a downgrade with so many weapons potnetially missing.