The Cleveland Browns still have no timetable on quarterback Baker Mayfield’s return to the field. Mayfield initially hurt his shoulder in Week 2 against the Houston Texans and then reinjured the shoulder in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Mayfield missed the Browns Week 7 victory against the Denver Broncos but was not placed on injured reserve. Just before the game, Jay Glazer reported that the quarterback not only had a torn labrum but also a fractured bone in the shoulder.
Case Keenum played adequately in Mayfield’s place but lacked the arm strength to push the ball downfield effectively. Still, Keenum was able to keep the offense in rhythm and provides the team with a stabilizing force while Mayfield recovers.
According to a report by Mary Kay Cabot, that recovery time could be interesting. The fractured bone could heal on it’s own but could get worse, instead of healing, if his shoulder dislocates again.
Even if the bone heals, according to the report, Mayfield will need four to six months to recover:
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will need 4-6 months to recover from surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder, providing he doesn’t need the fractured humerus bone or other bones repaired, a noted orthopedic surgeon told cleveland.com.
If the bone doesn’t heal, Mayfield’s recovery time could be even longer.
If and when Mayfield returns this year, the team will be balancing their short-term and long-term goals. Do they risk impacting the bone more by bringing him back? How much time will it take for the bone to heal on its own?
There are a lot of questions to be answered for Mayfield with his injury. We will keep you up to date with everything as it comes out.