Browns QB Baker Mayfield plans to start vs. Ravens

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns QB Baker Mayfield plans to start Sunday vs. Ravens

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/24/21

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is "beat up" but has no intention of removing himself from the lineup for a pivotal game

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer and others, Mayfield addressed reporters two days after he took somewhat of a shot at fans who booed him and the Cleveland offense during the 13-10 win over the Detroit Lions and said he plans on starting when the 6-5 Browns play at the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens in the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" clash.

Mayfield first suffered what's become a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder all the way back in Week 2 and has since encountered foot and knee issues. Per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland's QB1 admitted the lower-body problems are impacting his throwing mechanics.

#Browns QB Baker Mayfield said shoulder injury is new normal, but heel injury stemming from Cincinnati game and knee injury he suffered in New England have created a new set of challenges for his throwing mechanics. Mayfield explained his throwing style very reliant on lower body
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) November 24, 2021

As noted by ESPN stats, Mayfield completed 15-of-29 passes for 176 yards, a short touchdown to running back Nick Chubb, two avoidable interceptions and a season-worst total QBR of 8.6 against the Lions. His overall QBR of 37.2 ranks him 27th among eligible quarterbacks for the season.

If the Browns fall to 6-6 ahead of their bye, head coach Kevin Stefanski and company may have to use the extra time to consider shutting Mayfield down indefinitely regardless of the signal-caller's wishes. Backup Case Keenum, who has filled in for Mayfield on multiple occasions this fall, will be second on the depth chart this Sunday night.

Zac Wassink is a football and futbol aficionado who is a PFWA member and is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment. Erik Lamela and Eli Manning apologist. Chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. Whoops. You can find him on Twitter at @ZacWassink.

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