Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) jumps over Washington Football Team cornerback Bobby McCain (20) as Washington Football Team outside linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) attempts to tackle him during the second half of an NFL football game at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.
Published Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 | 11:56 a.m.
Updated Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 | 10:41 p.m.
The Raiders will no longer play the Browns on Saturday afternoon. The game has been postponed to 2 p.m. on Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, after a COVID-19 outbreak among vaccinated Browns’ players that has produced positive tests every day this week.
The Raiders were reportedly on a plane ready to take off for Cleveland this morning when word on the delay came down from the league. Las Vegas players immediately took to social media to protest the decision.
“I pay my player dues just to get lied to and the rules bent,” linebacker K.J. Wright tweeted to the NFL Player’s Association. “If it was the other way around, I swear we would playing tomorrow.”
“Straight (expletive),” cornerback Casey Hayward tweeted bluntly. “NFL, why didn’t you change it for the Raiders or Broncos last year?”
The outrage is understandable given the NFL’s stance all week that the game wouldn’t be postponed, but also not a break from the COVID-19 protocols like some are suggesting. Team forfeits are listed as a possibility for COVID-19 outbreaks, but only among unvaccinated players.
The more than 20 players that have tested positive for Cleveland over the last week — including top two quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum — are reportedly all vaccinated. Raiders at Browns is not the only game being moved as Washington Football Team at Philadelphia is now reportedly in the works to be played Tuesday.
The Raiders will now technically be a part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader, as their game’s start time is staggered to accommodate for the Minnesota at Chicago to kick off on time.
The move could create enough time for some Cleveland players to return after the league modified some of its policies.
Under the new protocols, an asymptomatic vaccinated player can be activated as soon as one day after testing positive. Previously, a player who tested positive for COVID-19 had to produce two negative tests 24 hours apart before being cleared to return.
The change means the Browns, who have 24 players on the COVID-19 reserve list, could be closer to full strength by Monday for a vital game. However, they could also get more positive cases.
Shortly after the game change was made official, the Browns released a statement saying they respected the league's decision.
“Our team has consistently adhered to the league’s COVID-19 protocols during the past two seasons, and we will continue to operate in a manner that meets and oftentimes exceeds the guidelines dictated by the league and its medical experts,” the Browns said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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