Report: Baker Mayfield to practice 'in some capacity' Wednesday

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has been dealing with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Browns QB Baker Mayfield to practice 'in some capacity' Wednesday

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/26/21

The Cleveland Browns improved to 4-3 on the season via a gritty 17-14 home win over the Denver Broncos last Thursday and did so with starting quarterback Baker Mayfield sidelined because of the injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder that includes a torn labrum and a fractured bone at the top of the humerus.

Mayfield wasn't seen on the practice field Monday, but NFL insider Josina Anderson reports the 26-year-old could be cleared to practice "in some capacity" Wednesday ahead of this Sunday's divisional matchup versus the 3-3 Pittsburgh Steelers:

There’s an expectation now that #Browns QB Baker Mayfield will practice Wednesday, in some capacity, barring any setbacks, per league source.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 26, 2021

Mayfield will likely need surgery at some point down the road but, by all accounts, intends to manage and play through the pain as long as doctors and head coach Kevin Stefanski allow him to re-enter the lineup, ideally as soon as possible.

Backup signal-caller Case Keenum started against Denver and completed 21-of-33 passes for 199 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions for a passer rating of 90.3, and reserve running back D'Ernest Johnson added 146 rushing yards and a score on 22 carries while serving as Cleveland's RB1 with both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt banged up.

Meanwhile, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday he is "not overly concerned right now" with who starts at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday.

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