Chris Simms of Pro Football Talk on Baker Mayfield: “He doesn’t want to give anyone else a chance to be successful with this football team and make it look bad.” watch Denver Broncos @ Cleveland Browns live Sky Sports NFL from 1.20am Friday
Baker Mayfield will miss Thursday night’s Cleveland Browns game against the Denver Broncos with a shoulder injury, while backup Kees Kinum will start as quarterback.
Although Mayfield continued to play after JJ Watt’s hard hit, and despite what he defiantly told reporters on Tuesday, “It’s my decision; I have to say if I can play or not, ”Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed a day later. Kinum will actually be the starter for a key bout against the Broncos.
“Baker fought very hard for the game, he’s a competitor and obviously wants to be there, but he just couldn’t do it in a short week,” Stefanski said. “We know that he will continue to do everything in his power to get back as soon as possible.
“Keyes Kinum will be our starting player tomorrow night and we have full confidence that he will lead us and do whatever it takes to put us in a position to win.”
According to the Browns’ official injury report, Mayfield did not participate in training on Monday and was restricted on Tuesday. His absence will result in the quarterback starting a streak of 51 starts for the fourth year in a row, although he reportedly has a chance to return to his eighth week’s divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL NetworkJan Rapoport.
Commenting on Mayfield’s likely absence, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms said: Pro Football Talk: “This is an important moment for Cleveland. There are expectations this year, and they are spoiling everything right now.
“Their season is hanging by a thread. I can’t believe I’m saying this because they have one of the top five squads in football. For them, the 3: 3 score is worrying.
“With this team and the talent they have, I would be worried if I was. [Mayfield]when Kinum enters, knowing he is pretty good and understands the crime.
“He is, in my opinion, one of the best backup defenders in all of football. It’ll be interesting for me to see how this all plays out with Baker and this left shoulder, because I think it’s pretty serious.
