League reverses decision on shot to Browns’ Mayfield

The NFL flagged itself for blowing the call on a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit put on Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The league said Friday that Tampa Bay safety Jordan Whitehead should have been penalized for striking Mayfield in the side of the helmet Sunday in a 26-23 overtime win.

Mayfield was sliding at the end of a 35yard scramble when he got blasted by Whitehead, who initially was penalized before the officials conferred and decided to pick up the flag — and one against Mayfield for taunting.

Referee Shawn Hochuli made the situation worse by incorrectly announcing that Mayfield “was still a runner and therefore is allowed to be hit in the head.” Whitehead, from Pitt, is expected to be fined.

Browns coach Hue Jackson said that he was also “disappointed” with comments made by Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter, who felt Mayfield was taunting after he jumped to his feet.

“Taunting? Does that really matter? I mean, really? That, to me, made no sense.” Jackson said.

Texans

Receiver Will Fuller has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season, a big blow to a team that has won five in a row and is coming off a high-scoring victory.

Elsewhere

NBC will unveil new technology in the “Sunday Night Football” matchup between New Orleans and Minnesota, both division leaders. The new “SNF Kicks Tracer” can map the flight of the ball on all field goal attempts. The SNF Kicks technology will provide additional data, including trajectory, speed of the football, and a “good from” statistic indicating the furthest distance from which a made field goal would have been successful. “By the end of the season, we hope to be showcasing the technology on kickoffs and punts, and eventually the passing game.” said Fred Gaudelli, executive producer of SNF.