Browns' Mayfield 'beat up', not practicing with Lions coming

Posted November 17, 2021 6:00 am

By TOM WITHERS

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is not practicing Wednesday in hopes of letting several injuries heal so he can play this week against the winless Detroit Lions.

Mayfield has played most of the season with a torn labrum and fracture in his left, non-throwing shoulder. He suffered a bruised right knee in Sunday's loss to New England, which came a week after he hurt his left foot at Cincinnati.

'œThis is probably the most beat up I've ever been in my career, and it's not like it's one particular thing, it's multiple,'ť said Mayfield, who limped slightly as he walked to the podium to speak with reporters.

'ťIt's just that time of year."

But it's also a critical stretch for the Browns (5-5), whose playoff hopes are fading with each loss.

After playing the Lions (0-8-1), they'll begin a unique three-week stretch in which they'll face Baltimore, get their bye, and play the Ravens (6-3) again with perhaps the AFC North on the line.

At this point, Mayfield plans to play again this week - he missed one game with the shoulder injury - but said he won't push things by practicing.

'œThere's no reason to make things worse if I don't need to,'ť he said. "I have plenty of time until Sunday, so we'll see what happens.'ť

The injuries have played a role in Mayfield's inconsistency. He posted a 132.6 passer rating on Nov. 7 against the Bengals, but last week went just 11 for 21 for a career-low 73 yards before leaving with the knee injury.

He has just nine touchdown passes in nine games and acknowledged the injuries have affected his play.

'œYeah, there's definitely a couple plays where I look back and say I should have used my feet here and there, but you have to adapt,'ť Mayfield said. 'œNobody is going to feel bad for you. It's not an excuse. You just have to find a way to make a play.'ť

NOTES: NFL sacks leader DE Myles Garrett is also missing practice because of an unspecified personal matter. ... WRs Jarvis Landry (knee) and Anthony Schwartz (concussion), CBs A.J. Green (concussion) and Troy Hill (neck) and DT Malik Jackson (knee) are not practicing as well.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks out of the medical tent after being examined during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise (91) forces Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) to fumble during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The Associated Press

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gets dropped to the turf by New England Patriots defensive end Deatrich Wise (91) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

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