Baker Mayfield dealing with nagging shoulder injury, practicing through issue
Baker Mayfield is dealing with a nagging shoulder injury, but the Cleveland Browns quarterback is practicing through the issue.
“Browns QB Baker Mayfield, who has been wearing a shoulder harness to play, suffered a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on Sept 19 vs the Texans, sources say,” tweeted NFL insider Ian Rapoport. “No surgery needed as of now. He was listed on the report after the injury and hasn’t missed a practice snap.”
Furthermore, Rapoport added that Mayfield won’t be taken off the field. The Browns quarterback will play through, and he believes the injury won’t affect his play.
“Baker Mayfield will continue to play through the ailment,” added Rapoport. “Asked yesterday by reporters if the shoulder harness affects his play, he said: ‘It shouldn’t, no.'”
The former first-overall pick in the NFL Draft didn’t look like his usual self against the Minnesota Vikings. Although the Browns found a way to come out victorious, Mayfield completed less than half of his passes.
To illustrate, Mayfield was 15 of 33 passing the football, accumulating just 155 yards and no touchdowns. Additionally, he missed star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on multiple occasions, as Beckham Jr. finished with just two catches for 27 yards.
Moving forward, the Browns have a tougher schedule coming up over the next couple weeks. This Sunday, they face off against a red-hot Los Angeles Chargers team — featuring Joey Bosa wanting to destroy Mayfield for his flag plant from college.
Afterwards, Mayfield has to try to keep up with the high-powered offense of the Arizona Cardinals. Then, Von Miller comes to town with the Denver Broncos for a Thursday Night Football face-off.
Mayfield: ‘People seem to forget how I got here.’
Many have been critical of Mayfield’s play thus far, but his injury adds another layer to the story. Earlier this week, the former Oklahoma star shared a message on his Instagram — reiterating his commitment to greatness.
“People seem to forget how I got here,” started Mayfield. “Nothing was given. Everything earned. Ups and downs. Came out stronger and better every time. God blessed me with the mental and physical strength to not only make it through adversity, but to also grow through those trials that nobody else could handle. I’ll always be striving to get better, which I will continue to have that mindset.
“Winning is the priority for me, always has been, and always will be. That’s why I was brought to Cleveland, to change that narrative and impact others along the way.
“That being said, we have a great group. I have their backs and they have mine. I’m gonna battle for these guys every single week. Onto the next challenge.”
Baker Mayfield has always been motivated by doubt his entire career. It got him a Heisman, drafted first overall and helped change the Cleveland Browns culture.
Now, he’ll have to take the next step in his career — recapturing what makes him great, making the Browns a serious Super Bowl contender.