Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list alongside a long list of other Browns players. The NFL opted to move the game from Saturday to Monday to give players more time to potentially test negative and return to the lineup. Will Landry be able to play in Week 15, and can fantasy football managers rely on him if he does?
Update 12/20/21: The Cleveland Browns did not activate Jarvis Landry off of the reserve/COVID list. He will not play today against the Raiders.
Jarvis Landry’s production
Landry has seen mixed results for Cleveland throughout the 2021 season. He’s recorded 38 receptions for 397 yards and 1 touchdown on 62 targets through nine games. He owns a 61.3% catch rate to go along with 10.5 yards per reception.
Landry faced off against the Baltimore Ravens in his last two games, and he recorded two of his best stat lines of the season.
In those contests, he posted 11 receptions for 152 yards and 1 touchdown on 20 targets. He recorded his highest yardage total in Cleveland’s first matchup, followed by his first touchdown in the second.
Although Landry’s dealt with injuries this year, he hasn’t been overly successful in terms of fantasy. He’s currently the WR59, struggling to produce for fantasy owners consistently. He’s flashed flex potential in PPR leagues, though.
Is Landry playing today?
Landry tested positive for COVID earlier this week, meaning he’d have to provide a negative result multiple times to be removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list. That hasn’t been the case at this point in the week, and he’s expected to be ruled out for this game.
The Browns haven’t officially ruled Landry out at this point, and there are several player statuses up in the air in this game. Nevertheless, it would be surprising if Landry gets taken off the COVID list this week, and the team expects him to sit out of the contest in Week 15.
Who will benefit if Landry misses this game?
There are two wide receivers that would clearly benefit if Landry isn’t able to play in this game. Donovan Peoples-Jones should take over as Cleveland’s top option after playing 92% of the offensive snaps last week. He’s quietly flashed when given the opportunities this season, and Peoples-Jones would come with some appeal in fantasy.
Rashard Higgins is the other top option. He hasn’t looked great this season, but he has flashed in a couple of games. Higgins is somewhat of a boom-or-bust WR in an offense that will likely be run-heavy throughout this game. He can be considered if you’re in a tough spot, but he isn’t a great option.
Anthony Schwartz was originally ruled out with a concussion this week, but he’s now questionable because of the extra time. If he’s playing, he’ll see a few snaps as the WR3. If he’s out, Ja’Marcus Bradley will work in his role. You shouldn’t consider either player in fantasy.
Ultimately, players at other positions may benefit the most. Nick Chubb will take on a massive role in Cleveland’s offense, while any of the Browns’ main tight ends would see increased usage. That tight end group includes Austin Hooper, David Njoku, and Harrison Bryant.