Mayfield confident he will play against Steelers

BEREA, Ohio — Baker Mayfield’s ribs are sore and he hasn’t even exposed them to the Steelers.

Mayfield was limited in practice with an injury sustained in Sunday’s win over Indianapolis. But the Browns quarterback is convinced he’ll play this week when Cleveland makes the short trip down the Turnpike to play at unbeaten Pittsburgh.

“Just day by day,” Mayfield said. “Still

confident.” Mayfield was in uniform Wednesday, but after stretching with his teammates, he only watched during the 10-minute period at the start of practice open to reporters.

As Mayfield stood by, backup Case Keenum made all the throws to Cleveland’s wide receivers. The Browns are currently without a third quarterback after Garrett Gilbert was signed by Dallas off the practice squad. The Cowboys needed another QB after losing Dak Prescott for the season.

Mayfield said the injury isn’t isolated to his ribs.

“Kind of the whole right side, everything is intertwined right there,” he said on a Zoom call before practice.

“I mean I am lucky with the way that I landed that it was not directly on my shoulder. Kind of rolled a little bit, so obviously could have been a lot worse.”

As the Browns (41), who are off to their best start since 1994, were trying to close out their 32-23 win over the Colts, Mayfield took a big hit in the fourth quarter from Colts defensive end Justin Houston. Mayfield went down hard while throwing one of his two interceptions in the second half.

Mayfield favored his right — throwing — arm when he got up and he was examined briefly on the bench before going into the sideline medical tent. Mayfield also landed awkwardly on his wrist, but said that’s not bothering him now.

Mayfield finished the game and received X-rays following the Browns’ fourth straight win.