BEREA, Ohio -- Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns quarterback, woke up Wednesday morning realizing that he had failed to stomach Tuesday's practice.
Mayfield will not be physically able to play against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night (8:20 p.m.) due to a torn labrum in the left shoulder. ET, Fox/NFL Network
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The Cleveland Browns have now signed Case Keenum as their journeyman backup last year.
Yes, Mayfield was mentored by Keenum by the Browns. He has. Cleveland did not give Keenum $10,000,000 guaranteed over a three-year contract merely to provide a listening ear. General manager Andrew Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski believed that Keenum could win one or two games in a pinch. With the expectations for playoff play already in shambles after consecutive losses against the Los Angeles Chargers (LA Chargers) and Arizona Cardinals (AZ Cardinals), Keenum will be called upon to perform that task on Thursday.
I feel ready. After being named the starter, Keenum stated Wednesday that he was ready. If you aren't ready, don't worry. I have been ready since my arrival.
I am excited. I'm ready.
Keenum's career has been built on the principle of always being ready to play. That was also the case in Minnesota four year ago.
Case Keenum was signed by the Browns because they believed he could win one or two games when needed. Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Stefanski was then the Vikings' quarterbacks coach, while Sam Bradford (another former Heisman Trophy winner) was the starting quarterback. After warming up, Bradford tried to play in Week 2. However, he was unable to due to a knee injury. This propelled Keenum to the starting line-up.
Keenum did more than keep the Vikings in the game that season. He quarterbacked them through the playoffs. His Minneapolis Miracle, 61 yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggers at the end of the clock was a crucial play that propelled Minnesota past the New Orleans Saints to win the Super Bowl and into the NFC Championship Game.
Keenum said that he is built for this. He noted that Mayfield has given him physical reps, but he has been getting mental millions of them mentally over the past two seasons. This is how I've been my entire career. From not knowing when I will start up to game time to not knowing who is there with me, to introducing yourself to players while calling plays.
It is not clear what the Browns' quarterback situation will be after Thursday. A league source said that Mayfield could be back in Cleveland's next game against the Steelers on October 31 if his left shoulder inflammation subsides.
The Browns need to win, regardless of the injuries they have suffered, even though Karem Hunt and Nick Chubb are their top running backs. If they want to maintain their preseason hopes of winning a division title, and a playoff spot, it is not possible. They need Keenum's ability to do the same as he has done in the past. They need him to do the things they brought him in.
Keenum stated, "What better opportunity to seize the moment than Thursday Night Football?" These opportunities don't come along very often so I am excited to be a starter quarterback in this league.
I'm ready to make the most of it.
