A KEY GAME AMIDST ALL THE UNCERTAINTIES
By STEVE KING
Things are happening so quickly — literally hour by hour, even minute by minute in some cases, because of the COVID-19 protocols — so it’s impossible, really, to tell what will happen on Monday late afternoon and evening when the Browns host the Las Vegas Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium.
But what we are certain — very certain — of is that the game is of extreme importance to both teams when it comes to making the playoffs.
At 7-6, the Browns are in third place in the ultra-tight AFC North. With a win, they can tie the slumping Baltimore Ravens and the surprising Cincinnati Bengals, both 8-6, for first place. The Pittsburgh Steelers are just slightly behind those three teams at 7-6-1.
A win would also keep the Browns in the thick of the conference wild-card playoff chase.
But if the Browns lose, then they would go to 7-7 and into last place. That’s how close the four teams are.
So, then, the Browns have little wiggle room. They need to keep winning, and if they top the Raiders, then it would be third victory in the last four games.
It’s all there for the Browns. Can they take advantage of it? Will they have enough COVID-free players to give it a good shot?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Here’s the latest moves:
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have made the following roster moves:
Activated from reserve/COVID-19 (1):
S John Johnson III
Activated from practice squad as COVID/19 replacement (7):
CB Brian Allen
G Hjalte Froholdt
DE Joe Jackson
RB John Kelly
CB Herb Miller
S Jovante Moffatt
S Tedric Thompson
Allen is 6-3, 200 pounds and in his third NFL season out of Utah. Originally a fifth-round pick by the Steelers in 2017, he has appeared in 17 career games between Pittsburgh (2017-18) and San Francisco (2020). Allen was signed to the Browns active roster last year for the team’s two playoff games and spent all of training camp with the club in 2021. Allen is a native of La Marque, Texas. He will wear No. 34.
Jackson is 6-4, 278 pounds and in his third NFL season out of Miami (Fla.). Initially a fifth-round selection by Dallas in 2019, Jackson has appeared in 18 career games. He first joined the Browns via waivers in 2020. He has appeared in 10 games this season and recorded nine tackles with one sack. He will wear No. 91.
Kelly is 5-10, 208 pounds and in his third NFL season out of Tennessee. Originally a sixth-round pick by the Rams in 2018, Kelly has appeared in 11 career games and recorded 32 carries for 96 yards and two receptions for 27 yards. He has appeared in three games this season. Kelly will wear No. 41.
Miller (6-1, 201) is a first-year player originally signed by Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has appeared in 10 career games. The Florida Atlantic product appeared in six games for the Browns this season and has spent time on the Browns’ and Buccaneers’ practice squads. Miller will wear No. 29.
Moffatt is 5-11, 213 pounds and in his second NFL season out of Middle Tennessee State. He joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and appeared in nine games as a rookie. He has spent the 2021 season the Browns’ practice squad and appeared in three contests. Moffatt will wear No. 35.
Thompson is 6-0, 204 pounds and in his fifth NFL season out of Colorado. Originally signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Thompson has appeared in 37 games with 16 starts with the Seahawks (2017-19) and Chiefs (2020). He has recorded 82 career tackles, five passes defensed, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He initially joined the Browns last season via waivers but did not appear in a game. He is a native of Valencia, Calif. Thompson will wear No. 37.
Activated from reserve/COVID-19 (1):
G Wyatt Teller
Placed on reserve/COVID-19 (1):
DE Jadeveon Clowney
Signed to active roster from practice squad (1):
T Alex Taylor
Signed to practice squad (1):
S Adrian Colbert
Taylor is 6-8, 301 pounds and is officially in his first NFL season out of South Carolina State. Originally signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Taylor appeared in one game with the Browns as a rookie and spent time on the club’s practice squad the past two seasons. He will wear No. 70.
Colbert is 6-2, 205 pounds and in his fifth NFL season out of Miami (Fla.). Originally a seventh-round pick by San Francisco in 2017, Colbert has appeared in 37 career games with 22 starts. He has recorded 98 tackles, two forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He has appeared in four games with three starts this season with the Giants. Colbert will wear No. 15.
