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If things weren't already bad enough for the Cleveland Browns (1-5), the team has encountered it's own case of the recently popular swine flu, but it is not confirmed yet that the illness is indeed the H1N1 virus.Coach Eric Mangini has said that the 12 players infected include 6 starters. Amongst them being Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Shaun Rogers, which could prove to be a huge hit for the Browns this Sunday.
All 12 players have been sent home as a precautionary measure.
The NFL does have a policy in place should a team encounter the H1N1 virus in the locker room.
Under this policy, the NFL allows for any club with at least six players unable to play due to cases of the swine flu may be granted roster exemptions for up to 8 players, and are allowed to promote replacements from their own practice squad.
The procedure, however, does not apply to any other case of the flu or illness. The deadline to promost players stands at four hours before kickoff.
The Browns cannot afford to lose any players.
Already sitting at 1-5, and last in the division fresh off of 3 straight tough games, two of them losses.
They were a few plays away from beating the AFC North leading Bengals, but fell just short on a much protested Field Goal and held their own against the defending champion, Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend.
They were able to top the Bills by an overwhelming score of 6-3 two weeks ago.
Starting linebacker, Kamerion Wimbley, was isolated from the team last weekend. He was driven to the Pittsburgh game seperately while the team took a bus. He never became well enough, missed the game and was sent home.
Shaun Rogers became ill during the Pittsburgh game and made the trip back to Cleveland following the game in a seperate vehicle than the team.
The full list of players infected includes: defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, running back Jerome Harrison, center Alex Mack, cornerback Anthony Madison, safety Brodney Pool, tight end Robert Royal, wide receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik, defensive end Brian Schaefering, fullback Lawrence Vickers, defensive end Corey Williams and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.
The Browns are at home this Sunday to face the Green Bay Packers. Kick-off at 1 PM ET.
