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The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a massive COVID-19 outbreak during their playoff push for the second consecutive season. Unfortunately, the list of affected players has now grown to 20 players!
The short week makes it difficult for players to achieve the necessary negative tests to be allowed to play when the 7-6 Cleveland Browns host the 6-7 Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
One of the players to test positive is wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who is the heart and soul of the Browns. This Saturday, the Browns can not afford to be without the team's leading receiver in a must-win game.
Is Jarvis Landry playing this week against the Raiders? Is Donovan Peoples-Jones worth picking up, and should fantasy managers start him in Week 15? Below, we take a quick look at the updated status for Jarvis Landry and attempt to answer these questions and their fantasy implications.
Is Jarvis Landry Playing in Week 15 Against the Las Vegas Raiders?
UPDATE: It was announced on Friday afternoon that the Raiders-Browns game has been postponed until Monday due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stay tuned for any changes with players being active and passing COVID-19 protocols in time for Monday.
As of now, Jarvis Landry remains on the COVID-19 list with several other Browns players. Baker Mayfield has officially been ruled out, and Nick Mullens is expected to start. Stay tuned for any further updates as we approach game time.
This is an update from the original news that was reported below, when the game was still scheduled for Saturday.
COVID and Injury Updates
We now have official confirmation on who from the Cleveland Browns will be missing from the Week 15 game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night. Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum, Jarvis Landry and Austin Hooper are all officially ruled out for the game after being placed on the COVID-19 list. Nick Mullens will be the starting quarterback:
Week 15 Status For Jarvis Landry
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry and right guard Wyatt Teller were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced, along with tight end Austin Hooper, left tackle Jedrick Wills, defensive end Takk McKinley, and guard Drew Forbes.
While the players are pushing for the game to be rescheduled, there has been no word from the NFL league office that there has been discussion regarding pushing the game out to a different date.
Jarvis Landry was asked if the NFL should postpone Saturday's contest, and the former LSU receiver said it "should not even be a question."
It is doubtful that we will see Landry on the field on Saturday. The Browns are decimated, and it might be easier to list the players that will be playing than the ones that are out.
The loss of Landry hurts an already struggling Browns offense. He leads the Browns with 38 receptions for 397 yards, but the Browns are predominantly a run-first team on the 19th ranked scoring offense in the league.
Landry is Baker Mayfield's prime target, and his 28.4% target rate currently ranks eighth in the league. However, as much as Browns fans want Kevin Stefanski to run on every down, that will not work in the current NFL.
Who will step up to fill the void of missing Jarvis Landry this week?
Is Donovan People-Jones Worth Picking Up and Starting Off The Waiver Wire?
Donovan Peoples-Jones led the team in receiving in their Week 14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He caught five of seven targets for 90 yards and developed chemistry with Baker Mayfield. The former Michigan standout has flashed big-play upside, ranking fifth with a 15.8 average target distance.
Both Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum are also on the COVID-19 list, leaving 3rd string quarterback Nick Mullens as the projected starter. He will be looking for a go-to guy on Saturday, so with the increased playing time and targets, DPJ can be a low-end WR3 option for fantasy managers in Week 15.
Those dealing with roster crunches and are in need of a wide receiver can go ahead and pickup DPJ off the waiver wire and start him, but keep the expectations in check with such a thin Browns roster and a 3rd string quarterback potentially leading the charge.
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