Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield can clearly handle pain just fine. Per Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network, the former Oklahoma star suffered a partially torn labrum on September 19th against the Texans, yet he's been playing through it.
#Browns QB Baker Mayfield, who has been wearing a shoulder harness to play, suffered a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on Sept 19 vs the #Texans, sources say. No surgery needed as of now. He was listed on the report after the injury and hasn’t missed a practice snap.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2021
It's certainly a plus that it's his left shoulder and not his right or else he would probably not be playing if he couldn't throw the football. Rapoport also noted that the Browns QB said it shouldn't affect him moving forward in regards to suiting up on a weekly basis:
Baker Mayfield will continue to play through the ailment. Asked yesterday by reporters if the shoulder harness affects his play, he said: “It shouldn’t, no.” https://t.co/aw8L4Jz1GL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 7, 2021
Nevertheless, this is concerning for the Browns. He's definitely at risk for damaging that shoulder even more if he's hit in the wrong way. But, Mayfield doesn't exactly sound too worried about the injury:
“It’s just about making the plays when they’re there. “I really don’t think it’s that complicated. Everybody’s going to try and make an excuse. I pretty much hit on it after the game, just gotta make the damn play.”
Mayfield has been solid for the Browns, guiding them to a 3-1 start. He's completed 74 of 113 attempts for a 65.5 passing percentage while throwing for a pair of touchdowns. He has been roughed up though, getting sacked 12 times already. It's likely he plays through the injury for the time being, unless it gets more serious. For Cleveland's sake, let's hope it doesn't.