Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield out Thursday with torn labrum, could return Week 8 vs. Steelers

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Oct 20, 2021 1:18 PM ET

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield vowed Tuesday to play in Thursday's prime-time game against the Denver Broncos despite the fact he re-injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder versus the Arizona Cardinals this past Sunday. He ultimately confirmed he's been playing through a "completely torn" labrum since Week 2 on Sept. 19.

The situation changed Wednesday, however, when the Browns announced backup Case Keenum will start in place of the injured Mayfield on Thursday night. That news came shortly after NFL insider Josina Anderson tweeted that the signal-caller's issue may be worse than is publicly known:

It was floating this morning that #Browns QB Baker Mayfield was not going to play even after the confidence he expressed to the media that he would. My understanding is Mayfield is dealing w/ more than just a torn labrum & that became more prevalent this am too per league source.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 20, 2021

Additionally, ESPN's Jake Trotter notes that team doctors and an orthopedic surgeon for the NHL's Anaheim Ducks advised Mayfield against playing Thursday. All things being equal, one couldn't be blamed for assuming the 26-year-old may miss more than just four quarters of action.

That may not be the case.

Trotter also reports Mayfield could be cleared to return to the lineup as soon as Week 8 against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Halloween afternoon "if the inflammation goes down and allows the quarterback to return to strengthening the shoulder to stabilize it."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport later said similar:

#Browns QB Baker Mayfield was willing to play despite a torn labrum. But with such a short turnaround, it made no sense for anyone. It'll be Case Keenum for Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/JjS2YfSFQ4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2021

It's unclear if the result of Thursday's contest will at all impact how Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski handles Mayfield moving forward, but Cleveland's QB1 can now at least try to prepare to be ready for what could prove to be a pivotal home matchup against Pittsburgh on the final day of October.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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