Source: Browns’ Mayfield has torn labrum in non-throwing shoulder
For now, Baker Mayfield’s going to play through the pain — and maybe some painful-looking passes.
Cleveland’s quarterback has a partially torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder that does not require surgery at this time, a person familiar Mayfield with the injury told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Mayfield, who had his shoulder pop out while he attempted to make a tackle last month against Houston, will continue to play as long as the injury doesn’t worsen, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity.
It’s possible Mayfield can make it through the season and then undergo a procedure to fix the tear. But nothing is guaranteed and Mayfield’s injury will make him even more of a target, starting Sunday against star defensive end Joey Bosa and the Chargers.
The Browns have veteran Case Keenum as a backup to Mayfield.
Mayfield and the Browns (3-1) had been downplaying his injury. But an awful performance — 15 of 33 with several head-scratching incompletions — at Minnesota last week led to speculation that’s he’s more seriously injured.
On Wednesday, Mayfield acknowledged he’s wearing a shoulder harness and his comment that “it shouldn’t” be impacting his throws essentially confirmed that the injury is altering how he plays. MCCAFFREY FEELS THURSDAY GAME CONTRIBUTED TO INJURY >> Add Christian McCaffrey to a growing list of NFL players who don’t like Thursday night games.
The Carolina Panthers’ 2019 All-Pro running back said he “definitely” feels like playing on a short week against the Houston Texans on Sept. 23 contributed to his strained hamstring, which held him out of last week’s 36-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
McCaffrey has been limited this week in practice, but feels as if he might be able to play Sunday when the Panthers (31) host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-3).
McCaffrey pulled up during a first-quarter run against the Texans in Week 3 and has not played since.
He called the injury “extremely frustrating” and said it could have been avoided with more rest.
“I don’t prefer Thursday night games,” McCaffrey said. “You go through a lot in a football game and then you really get two days to recover — and one of those days is a travel day. So you get two days to recover, you hop on a plane, you’re in a hotel and then go out and play in a football game. It’s tough.”
McCaffrey, who missed 13 games in 2020 because of injuries, said he thinks players need more time between games to recover from injuries.
“I think I’m not alone in this, but I would argue against them,” McCaffrey said when asked if he would like to see Thursday night games eliminated. BRONCOS’ BRIDGEWATER BACK AT PRACTICE >> Teddy Bridgewater’s chances of playing at Pittsburgh this weekend improved dramatically when he returned to practice four days after suffering a concussion against the Baltimore Ravens.
Bridgewater worked with the starters and was listed as limited on the injury report. He remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
PACKERS QUICKLY SIGN EXCOWBOY SMITH >> Jaylon Smith has signed with the Green Bay Packers, one day after the Dallas Cowboys released the veteran linebacker.
Smith made the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement in 2019 and led the Cowboys in tackles each of the past two seasons, but his play had dipped of late. FALCONS’ RIDLEY RULED OUT >> Atlanta Falcons leading receiver Calvin Ridley will not play in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in London for personal reasons.
After Ridley was not present for Thursday’s practice, the Falcons announced Ridley would not accompany the team to London “due to a personal matter.”