Mayfield, Keenum, Landry & Hooper out for Week 15

Browns QB Baker Mayfield, QB Case Keenum, WR Jarvis Landry and TE Austin Hooper will not be activated from the COVID list for tonight's game vs. the Raiders, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. So QB Nick Mullens will get the start for Cleveland. His top 2 WRs figure to be Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins. David Njoku should top the TE depth chart. We'll see if TE Harrison Bryant (ankle) is able to play. Expect a run-heavy game plan featuring Nick Chubb from the Browns.

CBS' Jonathan Jones reports that the Browns and Panthers are involved in trade talks "surrounding" QB Baker Mayfield. Jones reports that there's "urgency" for Carolina to make a move early enough to get Mayfield some minicamp reps with the team. He adds that the Panthers' offer is the best Cleveland has gotten and that the primary sticking point is how much of Mayfield's 2022 salary the Browns would pay. The QB is in the 5th and final year of his rookie contract and will likely face a "prove it" year, with unrestricted free agency ahead in March 2023. He makes obvious sense for Carolina, which currently sports Sam Darnold and Matt Corral as the top 2 options. And the relationship between Mayfield and the Browns looks finished. Mayfield hasn't proved to be a high-upside fantasy QB through 4 seasons, but the Panthers would set him up with nice pass-catching talent -- led by D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey. Stacking him with 1 or both players in best-ball tournament lineups now would be a low-risk, high-upside move.

QB Baker Mayfield has asked the Browns to trade him, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Jake Trotter reports, however, that the team has told Mayfield it is "not accommodating his request." This, of course, follows Cleveland making a push for Deshaun Watson, which got denied. We'll see how the Mayfield situation develops. Should the Browns decide to trade Mayfield, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the QB has "strong interest" in the Colts. Mayfield is now in the 5th and final year of his rookie contract.

Browns GM Andrew Berry threw support behind QB Baker Mayfield on Tuesday. "We fully expect Baker to be our starter and bounce back," Berry said. Actions speak louder than words, of course. So we'll see if Cleveland makes any major moves at QB this offseason. The Browns exercised the 5th-year option on Mayfield's contract, so he's on the books for nearly $19 million in 2022.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield won't play in Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals, HC Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday. Mayfield will undergo surgery to address the torn labrum in his left shoulder as soon as possible, Stefanski said. So that ends an extremely tough season for Mayfield, who also battled knee and foot injuries. His 60.5% completion rate, 7.2 yards per attempt, 4.1% TD rate and 3.1% INT rate were all worse than his 2020 marks. Mayfield is under contract with the Browns for 2022, but don't be surprised if the team adds competition this offseason.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield is considering sitting out Sunday's finale vs. the Bengals. He's dealt with a plethora of injuries this season, including a torn labrum in his left shoulder that will require surgery this offseason. "I'm an extremely competitive guy," Mayfield said after taking 9 sacks in Monday night's loss to the Steelers. "Now it's time for me to start looking at what's in the best interest of me and my health. ... Right now, I'm pretty damn beat up, to be honest with you. There's no way around it." QB Case Keenum figures to start for Cleveland this weekend if Mayfield doesn't.