Browns OC Alex Van Pelt: Baker Mayfield definitely 'hindered' by left shoulder harness

Both the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield have insisted that the injury to the signal-caller's left (non-throwing) shoulder he first suffered all the way back in Week 2 on Sept. 19 has not impacted his mechanics or on-the-field performances. That remained the case even after Mayfield missed a win over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 21 because he was dealing with a reported torn labrum and fractured bone at the top of the humerus that likely will require surgery to repair later this coming offseason. 

With the Browns now having to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the upcoming "Monday Night Football" matchup if they're to have any shot of making the playoffs (unless they're eliminated on Sunday), Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt sang a different tune when speaking with reporters Friday. 

Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Van Pelt admitted that the left shoulder harness Mayfield required is "definitely something that hindered him this season." However, head coach Kevin Stefanski later said Mayfield got more comfortable playing with the harness as the season progressed.