Though Baker Mayfield finished the Cleveland Browns' 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he didn't do so unscathed. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the second-year star quarterback had X-rays on his right hand at halftime of the defeat. Head coach Freddie Kitchens said it's “just a contusion” and “Baker's fine,” per Cabot.
Mayfield ran off the field with seven seconds left in the first half, holding his right hand. He hit the hand on the facemask of Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree and grabbed it afterward. He did so while trying to heave a deep-ball to Odell Beckham, which ultimately fell incomplete.
Mayfield is no stranger to hand injuries. Dating back to Week 1, a loss to the Tennessee Titans, the 2018 No. 1 pick has suffered minor injuries. However, none have been enough to warrant an “out” tag for a game.
Backup Garrett Gilbert entered the game and proceeded to throw two incompletions. Mayfield came back in the second half to play the rest of the contest, going 18 for 32 passing (56.3% completion rate) for 196 yards, a touchdown and an incompletion.
The Steelers' stingy pass-rush forced Mayfield to move often on Sunday, as they got to him for five sacks, good for 23 yards. The defense clamped down in the second half while Devlin “Duck” Hodges managed the game in wake to a “revenge” victory in Pittsburgh.
With the Browns' loss to the Steelers, Cleveland falls to 5-7. Though not mathematically out of the playoff hunt, it will take a lot for them to get there. For the rest of the season, it will be about building the team up while keeping Mayfield healthy.
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