MAYFIELD HAS SURGERY ON SHOULDER

Mayfield has shifted into comeback mode.

The Browns quarterback had successful surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that affected his play, led to a disappointing season and raised doubts about his future in Cleveland.

Mayfield posted a video on social media following the procedure, which was done in Los Angeles.

“Surgery went great,” Mayfield said in the clip while sitting on a bed with his non-throwing arm in a sling. “It was a complete success. Had a great medical team. Took care of me and checked that box off to get this fixed, and now it’s on the way to the road to recovery.

“This is one of those steps to get back to my true self.”

The operation was performed by Dr. Orr Limpisvasti, the team physician for the Anaheim Ducks who examined Mayfield’s shoulder during the season.

Mayfield, who only missed one game with the injury, will need up to six months of rehab, but is expected to be fully recovered by the time the Browns hold offseason workouts — assuming, of course, he’s still with the team.

The Browns said they anticipate Mayfield will begin “light throwing” in April.

“Now it’s on the way to the road to recovery,” he said. “It’s not going to be an easy one, but it’s going to be one that I’m going to remember, and it’s going to be a special one.”

More NFL

The Philadelphia Eagles say Jalen Hurts will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2022.

• The Packers released defensive lineman Kingsley Keke, who made eight starts this season but hadn’t played at all in their past three games.

• Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians says he’ll appeal a $50,000 fine imposed by the NFL for slapping the helmet of one of his players during last Sunday’s 31-15 NFC wild-card playoff victory over the Eagles.

• Raiders interim coach

Rich Bisaccia interviewed for the full-time job as owner Mark Davis searches for a coach and general manager to lead the franchise into the future.

• Ryan Poles of the Chiefs was interviewed for the second time by the Giants for their vacancy at general manager.

Soccer

The United States will play its final home World Cup qualifier at Orlando, Fla., on March 27 against Panama.

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced that the match will be at Exploria Stadium, where the Americans beat Panama 4-0 on Oct. 6, 2017, also their nextto-last qualifier.

• Steven Bergwijn scored two goals deep into stoppage time to snatch Tottenham a dramatic 3-2 win at Leicester in the Premier League. Tottenham climbed above north London rival Arsenal into fifth place and is a point behind fourthplace West Ham having played three fewer games.

• Manchester United staged a second-half turnaround as goals from Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford earned a 3-1 win at Brentford. United stayed in seventh place, but is only two points behind fourthplace West Ham in the race for Champions League qualification.

• Stephanie Labbe, 35, the goalkeeper for the Canadian women’s national team that won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, has announced her retirement.

Also

The San Diego Gulls won their second road game in two nights, beating the Stockton Heat 3-2 a night after beating the San Jose Barracuda 4-2. Lucas Elvenes assisted on all three goals Wednesday and now has 12 on the season.

• Hans-Jurgen “Dixie” Dorner, one of East Germany and Dynamo Dresden’s greatest soccer players, has died. He was 70.

• Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett is returning for another season.