CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Baker Mayfield was in no mood to revel in Sunday’s 13-10 win over the Lions after taking another beating from an opponent.
Sunday afternoon, Mayfield could be seen limping on multiple occasions and at one point in the fourth quarter backup Case Keenum got up to run and then throw on the sideline.
Yet Mayfield remained in the game.
“He was cleared to go in there,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think you guys know, he is toughing it out, and he is battling.”
The Lions, who fell to 0-9-1, were credited with a sack and three quarterback hits officially, but Mayfield had to pick himself – or get help – up off the field with regularity.
No matter how hurt Mayfield appears to be, the Browns refuse to pull him for his own safety.
“Ultimately, we organizationally try to make the best decision we can with all of the information we have available to us with all of our guys,” Stefanski said. “Certainly with each player, you talk to them as well and see where they are.”
After taking a knee to run out the clock, Mayfield walked off the field by himself while players from both teams gathered for the customary postgame greetings.
He also declined to speak with reporters after the game, instead walking out of FirstEnergy Stadium while teammates conducted post game pressers.
In the second half as the Browns offense continued to sputter, boos rained down from the stands with every incomplete pass Mayfield threw.
“He is fighting through those things in what was not the greatest conditions to throw the ball,” Stefanski said.
Prior to the game, Ian Rapoport detailed specifics regarding foot and knee injuries that Mayfield has been playing with in addition to the torn labrum in his left shoulder. Mayfield has a bone bruise on his right knee as well as a bruised left heel. The fracture has healed according to Rapoport.
“It motivates us,” running back Nick Chubb, who ran for 130 yards and caught a touchdown, said. “We are playing for each other. To see him battling, he is banged up pretty bad. He is out there at practice and during the game, it gets us going. We want to win for each other.”
Mayfield completed 15 of 29 passes for 176 yards, including his 10th touchdown pass of the season and two interceptions in the win. His rating: 53.2.
His first interception did not cost the Browns anything, but he overthrew Jarvis Landry by a country mile. His second pick ended up allowing the Lions to pull within 13-10 in the fourth quarter, and once again was in the direction of Landry.
Mayfield misfired on multiple other passes either underthrowing or overthrowing them. One underthrow in the second half resulted in Landry injuring his knee again.
“The guy is really tough and plays hard,” left guard Joel Bitonio said. “He wants to win badly and he’s our leader. We follow that and we gotta keep protecting him and keep him upright so we can have him down the stretch.”