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BEREA, Ohio – Baker Mayfield’s non-throwing shoulder is damaged.
The Browns quarterback plays with a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder that won’t require surgery at this time, a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Mayfield will continue to start until the injury worsens, said the person who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
It’s possible Mayfield could play the rest of the season with the injury and then undergo a procedure.
Mayfield injured his shoulder while attacking Houston safety Justin Reid after throwing an interception against the Texans on September 19. It led the NFL in two-game completion rate (81.6%), but fell to 65.5%.
Last week, Mayfield was unusually inaccurate, completing just 15 of 33 assists in a win over Minnesota. On Wednesday he revealed he was wearing a harness over his shoulder and added “it shouldn’t” disturb his ability to overtake.
But disclosure of the tear could explain part of Mayfield’s uneven play over the past two weeks – wins over Chicago and Minnesota.
Earlier this week, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he did not notice Mayfield was affected by the injury, but provided no details of its severity. Stefanski has no plans to meet with reporters on Thursday.
NFL Network was the first to report Mayfield’s torn labrum.
Mayfield hasn’t missed a game or practice since getting injured, so the Browns (3-1) haven’t listed him in recent injury reports.
Cleveland visits the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
Browns star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t surprised that Mayfield continues to play despite the pain.
“You would expect that from him” said Beckham, who added he had suffered a similar injury for years. “He’s not going to sit there and complain and do all these other things. He’s just going to go over there and play.
Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who returned to practice Wednesday after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury, said Mayfield’s grain was contagious.
“Hardness,” Walker said. “I’m not going to do my TO (Terrell Owens), ‘he’s my quarterback’, but for real that’s how I feel. He who sucks everyday for us as a quarterback can take a hit every play or has to throw the ball with so much pain, just like that.
“I’m here complaining about a little nick and bruise here, but seeing it there everyday, no complaints, nothing, just worked everyday.” When you have a quarterback like that, a leader like that, it makes you want to play a little harder.
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