Cleveland Browns quarterback Case Keenum will start Thursday night against the Denver Broncos in place of injured QB Baker Mayfield, the club announced Wednesday.
Mayfield aggravated an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals on a tackle by J.J. Watt. The move comes just a day after Mayfield declared that the decision on his playing status would be his alone. Even in the immediate aftermath of the Browns' 37-14 home loss to Arizona, the former No. 1 overall draft pick was steadfast in his determination that he would not miss a game, despite the short week of recovery for a Thursday game.
Per the Browns official injury report, Mayfield did not participate in practice on Monday, and was limited on Tuesday.
"Case Keenum will be our starter tomorrow night and we have full confidence in him to lead us and do the things necessary to put us in position to win," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Baker fought really hard to play, he's a competitor and obviously wants to be out there but just couldn't make it on a short week. We know he will continue to do everything in his power to return as quickly as possible."
Mayfield's absence will snap a streak of 51 consecutive starts. He has a chance of returning for Week 8 against the Steelers but will focus on rehab and tightening up the shoulder, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Keenum completed 1 of 3 passes for 6 yards in relief of Mayfield against Arizona. His last stretch as an NFL starter came with the Washington Football Team in 2019, when he made eight starts with a passer rating of 91.3.
Mayfield initially injured his left shoulder, a labrum tear, in a Week 2 win over the New York Giants.
He's among many injuries the Browns (3-3) will be challenged to overcome against the Broncos (3-3), including the absence of their top two running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.
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