Steelers, Roethlisberger eyeing one last stand vs. Browns
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could be making his final start at Heinz Field when the Steelers host Cleveland on Monday nightDECEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHASE MCLAUGHLIN #4 - KICKER - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
17 FGA •
16 FGM •
96.7% PAT
17 FGA
16 FGM
96.7% PAT
Colts' Leonard off virus list, ready to face Raiders
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard couldn’t wait to get back to work ThursdayDECEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Off COVID list McLaughlin (illness) has been activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Impact In a corresponding move, the Browns released Chris Naggar -- who filled as Cleveland's kicker in Week 16 -- from their practice squad. McLaughlin is currently on track to return to action Monday night versus the Steelers. Meanwhile, Chris Blewitt was added to the team's practice squad Wednesday.
DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Stefanski, Browns second-guessed, stung by close losses
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski offered no excuses or regrets for his late-game decisions in Saturday’s 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers, who sealed the win by intercepting Baker M...DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Headed to COVID-19 list McLaughlin tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and isn't expected to be available for Saturday's game against the Packers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Impact According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, McLaughlin is in line to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list, with Chris Naggar slated to come up from the team's practice squad in advance of Saturday's game. Look for the moves to be made official later Friday.
DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Browns activate QB Mayfield, Colts' Nelson on COVID-19 list
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield moved a step closer to playing against Aaron Rodgers on ChristmasDECEMBER 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns face plenty of uncertainty as they head to Green Bay
The Cleveland Browns are residing in the AFC North basement dealing with COVID-19 complications and playing two road games in a span of six daysDECEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns seek to boost playoff hopes while visiting Green Bay
The Cleveland Browns seek to boost their fading playoff hopes by handing the Green Bay Packers their first home loss of the season on SaturdayDECEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Remains team's kicker McLaughlin will remain the Browns' kicker for Saturday's game against the Packers, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "Chase is our kicker," Cleveland head coach K...
Impact McLaughlin's slump won't cost him his job at this time. Speculation about a change has been ramping up the last several weeks, as the kicker made just four of nine field-goal attempts the last six weeks with all five misses coming from 40-to-49 yards. That includes a big miss Monday in a 16-14 loss to the Raiders. The Browns have Chris Naggar on the practice squad if Stefanski is compelled to make a change after Week 16.
DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No kicking change planned Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't answer when asked whether he was considering replacing McLaughlin as the team's kicker, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal rep...
Impact McLaughlin's missed 47-yard field-goal attempt proved costly in Monday's 16-14 loss to Las Vegas. The 25-year-old appeared to be the solution to the Browns' recent kicking woes early in the season, but cracks started to form Week 7. McLaughlin, who is with his sixth organization, has made 15 of 21 attempts, including just four of nine from 40-to-49 yards, with all the misses coming since Oct. 21.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Browns can't finish, brutal loss drops them outside playoffs
The Browns nearly pulled off the improbableDECEMBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Calls for job should increase McLaughlin missed his lone field-goal attempt and converted two of two extra point kicks in Monday's 16-14 loss to Las Vegas.
Impact After nailing an attempt that was wiped out by the Raiders' late timeout call, McLaughlin missed wide right on a 41-yard attempt as time ran out in the first half. That would have made it a 10-3 game heading into the second half. He's misfired on field goals in five of the last six games, going 4-of-9 during the stretch. Some of the misses put the Browns in a more difficult position, but McLaughlin's miss Monday was the first one that can be argued cost Cleveland a win. The coaching staff has stuck by the struggling kicker, but they may have to make a change.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Browns can't overcome COVID, Raiders in heartbreaking loss
After all they endured over the past week, the Browns were seconds away from an unlikely leap into first place in the AFC NorthDECEMBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Raiders successfully ice Chase McLaughlin as 47-yard FG try misses wide right Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia successfully ices Cleveland Browns kicker Chase McLaughlin as his 47-yard field goal try...
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • NFL.COM
Browns-Raiders moved to Monday McLaughlin and the Browns will no longer play the Raiders on Saturday, after the NFL officially rescheduled the matchup between the two teams for Monday at 5 p.m. ET.
Impact Due to ongoing COVID-19-related issues within the Cleveland organization, the NFL is hopeful that by delaying the game two days, the Browns will restore enough players from the reserve/COVID-19 list to alleviate depth concerns on the roster.
DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Browns, Raiders meet in game moved by rise in COVID-19 cases
Two days later than expected the Browns and Raiders will meet in an important game for both teamsDECEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns' harrowing escape keeps playoff push from derailing
The Browns got a must win and now face another oneDECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Keeping job for now McLaughlin will remain the Browns' kicker according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Impact McLaughlin started the season strong, making his first nine field-goal attempts on the year. Since then he has made just five of 11 attempts, bring his made field-goal percentage down to 75 percent on the season. If his woes continue, it seems unlikely he'll retain his coach's confidence for much longer.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Wobbles continue McLaughlin converted one of two field-goal attempts and three of three extra-point kicks in Sunday's 24-22 win over Baltimore.
Impact McLaughlin misfired on a 41-yard attempt, which clanged off the upright early in the fourth quarter. Had the Ravens converted a subsequent two-point attempt, a game with dire playoff implications could have been tied at 24. It was the third consecutive game he's missed on an attempt between 40 and 49 yards, and McLaughlin's made just four of nine (44 percent) field goals from that distance. He also missed an extra point during that wobbly three-game stretch. None of the misses are the culprit in losses, but there are a couple that could have put Cleveland in a better position. The Browns resuscitated faint playoff hopes with the Week 14 win, and one wonders if McLaughlin's shakiness might prompt a change.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with new holder McLaughlin will perform with a new holder due to punter/holder Jamie Gillan (COVID-19) being unavailable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journ...
Impact The Browns signed veteran punter Dustin Colquitt on Friday, when he joined them for practice and served as McLaughlin's holder. It may not be a big deal, but the new holder introduces a layer of uncertainty to the kicking packages. More so than the new holder, McLaughlin could be hampered by a Browns offense that produced just nine field-goal attempts and 14 extra-point kicks over the last seven games.
DECEMBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Garrett says Browns lacking focus, CB Newsome has concussion
Myles Garrett feels the Browns have lacked focus while preparing for their biggest game this seasonDECEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns place top tackler Walker, P Gillan on COVID-19 list
The Browns could be missing two more key players for Sunday’s vital matchup against the Baltimore RavensDECEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Misses FGA in one-score loss McLaughlin was successful on one of two field-goal attempts and made his lone extra-point kick in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Ravens.
Impact McLaughlin failed to convert a 46-yard attempt on Cleveland's opening drive, his third missed kick over the last two games. When asked about the kicker by reporters this week, special-teams coach Mike Priefer said he was confident in McLaughlin, whose previous misses were not a factor in games. That changed Sunday. McLaughlin's now under 80 percent on field goals -- 14 of 18 -- and more questions could arise. When the Browns' sputtering offense gets in range, it's vital they come away with points. The team is on a bye Week 13, which gives them plenty of time to evaluate McLaughlin and seek alternatives.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Stumbling Browns hope to solve problems during bye week
The Cleveland Browns have a week off to secure solutions to the deep list of problems holding them up from returning to the postseasonNOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ravens overcome Jackson's 4 INTs, beat Browns 16-10
Lamar Jackson provided one brilliant highlight during an otherwise subpar performance and his 13-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews in the third quarter was enough to lift the Bal...NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
