The Cleveland Browns are on a bye week, but once they take the field in Week 8 against the New England Patriots, coach Freddie Kitchens is confident Baker Mayfield will be playing.

Mayfield didn't practice on Tuesday as he deals with a hip injury, but via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Kitchens said the injury isn't a big deal and he should be fine going forward.

“He’ll be in better shape physically and he’ll be in a better place mentally too,’’ he said. “We’ve got to get him ready to play the last 10 games.’’

Besides the hip injury this year, Mayfield has also had some issues with his mechanics, but that isn't something the team is going to spend extra time on during the bye week.

Kitchens also made a comment about Rashard Higgins, who made it clear he was frustrated with his role after he was activated, but didn't play against the San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks.

“I saw him in practice (before the 49ers),’’ he said. “I have to make a decision every week whether I consider guys healthy enough to play. He was not going to play against the 49ers.’’

After not playing him against the 49ers, Kitchens decided that it would just be better to have him rest for a couple of weeks through the bye instead of having him back for one week and then giving him a week off.

It sure seems like Mayfield and Higgins should both be on field next Sunday against the Patriots.