Dupree believes he came back from injury too soon

Outside linebacker Bud Dupree says his mind, and pride, got ahead of his body in his recovery from a torn right ACL.

Blame the former Steelers defensive star’s eagerness of wanting to make a good impression with his new team, the Tennessee Titans, and introduce himself to a new city and fans.

Dupree said Thursday he tried to rush his recovery. That’s why he started the first two games this season. Then he dressed for a win over Indianapolis, available in case of emergency, without playing a snap. The Titans scratched him for last week’s loss to the Jets.

Dupree practiced fully Thursday. Whether he plays Sunday when the Titans (2-2) visit the Jaguars (0-4) remains to be seen.

Browns

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 with the injury told the AP. It’s possible Mayfield can make it through the season and then undergo a procedure to fix the tear, but nothing is guaranteed. The Browns have veteran Case Keenum as a backup should they need him. Mayfield had an awful performance — 15 of 33 with several headscratching incompletions — at Minnesota last week.

Packers

Jaylon Smith joined Green Bay, one day after the Dallas Cowboys released the veteran linebacker. The Packers announced that they had signed Smith. Packers coach Matt LaFleur had talked earlier in the day about how the former Cowboys player would fit in with the Packers. LaFleur said it is unlikely that Smith will be ready to play Sunday.

Panthers

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 Sept. 23 contributed to his strained hamstring, which held him out of last week’s 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.