Baker Mayfield has been fighting injuries all season. But it was COVID-19 protocols that finally forced him off the football field. After the NFL delayed Cleveland’s game against the Raiders to tonight, what is Baker’s status ahead of the game? Will Mayfield be available for fantasy football managers playoff matchups, is he still dealing with a shoulder injury, and how has he performed so far this season?
Update 12/20/21: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Browns did not officially activate Baker Mayfield or Case Keenum off the reserve/COVID list. They will both miss this game against the Raiders and Nick Mullens will get the start.
Is Baker Mayfield playing tonight vs. the Raiders?
Baker’s status has currently not been confirmed, and the latest information we have is a post on his personal Instagram story last night where he said: “Blessed to be healthy and have had no symptoms. Praying to test negative for COVID.”
Baker can play tonight if he takes a negative test today [Dec. 20] before 2 PM. All will be riding on that, and we will update this post as soon as we get any further information.
Managing an injury-riddled season, how has Baker performed?
Some fans have grown impatient with Mayfield this season, as the Browns appear to have regressed a little from last season’s performances. However, Baker is beaten up and battling multiple injuries. He suffered a left shoulder injury all the way back in Week 3, which he’s been playing through every week barring Week 7 so far this season (when he sat out to rest the shoulder).
Baker has also played through a right foot injury, a left knee injury, and a groin injury — all within this season. He’s far from 100% healthy, and a torn labrum is certainly compromising to a quarterback.
Baker had his best season under Kevin Stefanski in 2020. Nonetheless, in Year 4 here in 2021, he’s gone the other way. He is having one of his worst campaigns since coming into the league.
That marks an issue for the inevitable contract extension situation that’s due any time now. The Browns exercised his fifth-year option, so they still have time to make up their minds, but a down year is far from ideal.
Who do the Browns turn to if Baker cannot record a negative test this afternoon?
Case Keenum was one of many Browns players who tested positive or was placed on the COVID-19 list this week. He, too, is currently marked as out for tonight’s game. If neither Baker nor Keenum can go, Nick Mullens will start for the Browns.
Mullens has thrown 25 TDs across two separate stints with the 49ers (2018 and 2020). He’s had games where he looks like one of the better backups in the NFL. Still, he’s yet to play for the Browns. After being waived by the Eagles, Mullens was signed to Cleveland’s practice squad back on September 1.