Baker Mayfield's accuracy issues might have an explanation.
Mayfield suffered a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in Cleveland's Week 2 win over Houston, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Mayfield has been wearing a harness on the shoulder since the injury, but no surgery is needed as of now, per Rapoport.
Mayfield has not missed a practice snap and has played in each of the Browns' last two games, both victories.
The injury isn't a surprise, considering Mayfield's own description of the ailment. His left shoulder popped "in and out," he said, just before halftime of the Week 2 game. It's common for injuries of this nature (dislocation or subluxation) to result in a labrum tear. A harness is typically worn to limit the affected shoulder's range of motion in order to prevent an reoccurrence, as the shoulder tends to exhibit increased instability following the injury.
The good news is the affected shoulder is not the one Mayfield actively uses to throw the ball. It's likely he's working through rehab to strengthen the muscles surrounding the shoulder while he stays on the field, continuing another promising season for the 3-1 Browns.
The only concerning result following Mayfield's injury has been his inaccuracy. Mayfield had a rough outing in Cleveland's Week 4 win over Minnesota, completing just 15 of 33 attempts for 155 yards in a game that was arguably his worst without committing a turnover in his NFL career. His 59.5 passer rating tells the story everyone witnessed unfold with their eyes Sunday, with Mayfield missing open receivers at nearly every depth of target.
Cleveland will hope Mayfield can battle through his temporary struggles to regain the form that saw him help the Browns reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002 last season. The going only gets tougher for the Browns, who face the Chargers (3-1) and Cardinals (4-0) in the next two weeks.
Injuries/COVID-19
- Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson left Thursday's game with a sprained finger and was replaced by Geno Smith.
- Los Angeles Rams cornerback Darious Williams was ruled out late in Thursday night's game with an ankle injury. Rams coach Sean McVay had no update after the game.
- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) did not practice for a second consecutive day. Earlier this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan did not rule out Garoppolo from starting Sunday against the Cardinals. Rookie quarterback Trey Lance would get his first-career start if Garoppolo is unable to play. Offensive tackle Trent Williams (shoulder) was a full participant at practice.
- The Carolina Panthers listed running back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) as limited for a second consecutive day. McCaffrey said he "definitely" feels good and that there's a chance he plays Sunday versus the Eagles. Linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot) remained out and is trending toward missing Week 5. Offensive linemen Cameron Erving (neck) and Matt Paradis (illness) missed practice; Erving also sat out Wednesday.
- Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) and receiver Amari Cooper (hamstring) will participate in individual drills, per coach Mike McCarthy. Both missed Wednesday's practice.
- The Atlanta Falcons will be without receivers Calvin Ridley (personal matter) and Russell Gage (ankle), as well as defensive end Marlon Davidson (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Jets in London.
- Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (wrist) missed another practice. Defensive back Armani Watts (illness) practiced in full after sitting Wednesday.
- Tennessee Titans receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) and offensive lineman Taylor Lewan (toe) missed a second consecutive practice. Wideout A.J. Brown (hamstring) was a full participant after being limited Wednesday while fellow WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (hamstring) was limited after logging a DNP. Linebackers Bud Dupree (knee) and Rashaan Evans (quad), running back Jeremy McNichols (hamstring), defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (back) and guard Rodger Saffold (concussion) all practiced in full after being limited.
- The Baltimore Ravens are still waiting to see if receiver Rashod Bateman (groin), who has yet to play this season, and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (knee) will be able to play against the Colts in Week 5. "We'll have to see," coach John Harbaugh said. Villanueva left Baltimore's Week 4 win over the Broncos early. Villanueva, fellow OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and safety Geno Stone (thigh) did not practice. Defensive back DeShon Elliott (quad) was limited.
- Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (shoulder) and safety Jordan Poyer (ankle) remained limited in practice. Defensive end A.J. Epenesa was limited with a foot injury. Defensive end Gregory Rousseau (toe) was upgraded from DNP to limited while offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (concussion) practiced in full after being limited. Linebacker Matt Milano (hamstring) remained out.
- The New England Patriots were again without offensive linemen Trent Brown (calf) and Shaq Mason (abdomen). Cornerback Shaun Wade (concussion) was out, as well, while linebacker Kyle Van Noy (groin) was limited.
- The Detroit Lions are preparing to be without rookie offensive tackle Penei Sewell , who is nursing an ankle injury, in Week 5, according to offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn. Sewell did not practice for a second consecutive day. Tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was limited after missing Wednesday. Running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Jamaal Williams (hip), defensive end Michael Brockers (shoulder) and linebacker Trey Flowers (knee) remained limited.
- Green Bay Packers edge rusher Chauncey Rivers suffered a torn ACL at Wednesday's practice, Rapoport reported. The team officially placed him on injured reserve Thursday afternoon. Rivers had played in 52 defensive snaps and 44 special teams snaps over Green Bay's first four games. Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, who had been playing left tackle before suffering an ankle injury, returned to practice in a limited capacity; he's missed the last two games. Fellow OT Dennis Kelly (illness) did not practice. Running back Aaron Jones (ankle) and cornerback Kevin King (concussion) remained limited. Cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) missed another practice.
- Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (ankle) and defensive tackle Michael Pierce (elbow) missed a second consecutive practice. Linebacker Nick Vigil (ankle) practiced in full after missing Wednesday.
- Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (ankle) was a full participant at practice after being limited Wednesday.
- Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills (ankle) and offensive lineman Chris Hubbard (triceps) didn't practice Thursday.
- The Seattle Seahawks placed receiver D'Wayne Eskridge (concussion) on injured reserve.
- Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) will be limited in practice Thursday.
- Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson and Darius Slay did not participate in practice due to personal matters. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (knee) was a limited participant.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed cornerback Carlton Davis (quad) on injured reserve. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (concussion) missed another day of practice. Linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand) remained limited.
- Miami Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring) and cornerbacks Xavien Howard remain limited in practice. Tight end Adam Shaheen (neck) was upgraded from limited to full while CB Byron Jones (quad/Achilles) was limited after sitting Wednesday.
- Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (ankle), running back Nyheim Hines and defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring) did not practice. Quarterback Carson Wentz (ankle) was a full participant. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (ankle) was limited.
- Washington Football Team guard Brandon Scherff (knee), and receivers Curtis Samuel (groin) and Dyami Brown (knee) missed a second consecutive practice. Running back Antonio Gibson (shin) was limited after missing Wednesday's session. Defensive tackles Jonathan Allen (knee) and Matthew Ioannidis (knee) remained limited while RB J.D. McKissic (ankle) was upgraded to full after being limited.
- Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (ankle), guard Xavier Su'a-Filo (knee) and center Trey Hopkins (knee) remained out. Cornerback Trae Waynes (hamstring) was limited. Receiver Tee Higgins (shoulder) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (knee) remained limited.
- The Chicago Bears were again without linebacker Khalil Mack (ribs/foot) and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (groin). Receiver Darnell Mooney (groin) remained limited.
- The New York Jets welcomed receivers Elijah Moore (concussion) and Denzel Mims (non-COVID illness) back to practice. Both were full participants. Safeties Adrian Colbert (concussion) and Marcus Maye (ankle), and tight end Tyler Kroft (back) remained out.
Rosters news
- The Seattle Seahawks elevated receiver Phillip Dorsett from the practice squad.
- The Chicago Bears released offensive lineman Alex Taylor and signed receiver Nsimba Webster to the practice squad.
- The New York Jets released defensive back Jarrod Wilson and practice squad offensive lineman Jimmy Murray.