Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield practiced on Wednesday with the first team and said he wants to play Sunday against the Steelers.
That could be the best thing for the Steelers.
“If I’m the Steelers themselves I want Baker Mayfield to try to play banged up,” said Cook and Joe’s Joe Starkey. “If he wants to play in this shape that he’s in right now, it doesn’t sound like this is something minor that’s just hampering him.”
Ron Cook agrees that it would be better for the Steelers to face a banged up Mayfield compared to a health Case Keenum, who took backup reps in practice for Cleveland Wednesday.
Mayfield has a torn labrum and a fracture of the top of the humerus bone in his left shoulder. While that is not his throwing arm, it is still not a minor injury and is risking further damage going up against T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense.
Keenum was more than adequate against the Denver Broncos last Thursday, completing over 60 percent of his passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and zero picks.
Even with running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt out, the Browns run game had 182 yards on the ground against the Broncos, with most of those coming from D’Ernest Johnson, who ran for 146 yards in his first NFL start.
"With the success of the Browns run game, they probably don't need a quarterback to go make plays, rather a quarterback to avoid mistakes," said Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn. "That means in this game, Keenum is probably the better option for Cleveland. If I'm the Steelers, I think I'd want to see Baker---unless the Steelers jump out to a big lead because Baker is likely the better QB to lead a comeback.
Plus I'm sure Baker said something or was just annoying enough during the playoff blowout to likely keep the Steelers defense fired up."
Given what we've seen from the Steelers defense, the Browns should be good enough just running the ball to win this game.
So if the Browns are going to start their banged up starter over Keenum, if you’re the Steelers you have to be thanking Cleveland.