Browns notes: Alex Van Pelt expects Baker Mayfield to be ready to take every snap vs. Patriots despite sore foot
BEREA — Baker Mayfield's habit of quarterbacking through injuries has created a standard, and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt expects it to be upheld this weekend.
Van Pelt said he believes Mayfield will be ready to take every snap Sunday when the Browns (5-4) visit the New England Patriots (5-4) despite the starting quarterback dealing with a sore foot.
“I wouldn't expect Bake to miss anytime as it pertains to the game," Van Pelt said Thursday on Zoom. "I know he's a tough guy. He's already played through a lot worse than this, and I think he'll be fine. Just got to find a way to get him through practice this week.”
Of course, Mayfield has been playing through a completely torn labrum and fractured humerus bone in his left, non-throwing shoulder. The injury forced him to miss one game, a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 21, snapping his streak of 53 consecutive starts.
Another Cleveland Browns injury update: Joe Woods 'very optimistic' that Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will return at New England
The Browns listed Mayfield as a limited practice participant Wednesday, and he didn't throw much in the portion of the session open to reporters.
“Just a little sore on my foot," Mayfield said Wednesday after practice, "but nothing major by any means.”
Mayfield also said he expected to throw more as the week progresses, and it happened Thursday. With his left cleat taped, Mayfield appeared to make his usual amount of throws in the portion of Thursday's practice open to reporters.
Later Thursday afternoon, the Browns listed Mayfield as a full practice participant.
Mayfield came up limping after taking a sack early in the third quarter of Sunday's 41-16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and had a bloody left knee, which he called "merely a flesh wound" in his postgame news conference.
Marla Ridenour's column: After a week of OBJ chaos, Baker Mayfield's speech helps Browns save a season on the brink
Mayfield indicated Wednesday the sore foot stems from the Bengals game, but he said it was unrelated to the "flesh wound" on his knee.
“Yeah, it's just some nagging thing that's gone a little bit overtime," Mayfield said. "I don't know. It could be turf. It could be a lot of things, but I'll be all right.”
Van Pelt said he didn't know whether Mayfield's foot had been stepped on.
“I'm not even sure exactly how that went down," Van Pelt said. "He had some discomfort yesterday, and that's fine, but moving forward, I think he'd be available for the game.”
Cleveland Browns' Donovan Peoples-Jones misses practice for personal reason, fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry returns to field
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones didn't practice Thursday, with the Browns citing a personal reason and saying his absence was not related to an injury. The Browns hope Peoples-Jones is still on track to play Sunday.
Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry (knee) and defensive tackle Malik Jackson (knee) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. They were limited.
Defensive ends Myles Garrett (foot) and Takk McKinley (groin) remained idle for the second day in a row. Center JC Tretter (knee) sat out Thursday after practicing Wednesday in a limited capacity.
Still a chance Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb comes off reserve/COVID-19 list, plays Sunday
Browns two-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb, who ranks third in the league in rushing despite missing two games, remained on the reserve/COVID-19 list, along with fellow running backs Demetric Felton and John Kelly and center Nick Harris. Van Pelt is hopeful Chubb will test negative for two consecutive days and be able to face the Patriots.
“Right now, all I know is there is still a chance. I do not know how large that chance is or when that chance is. But we will take as long as we need to and as long as we possibly can,” Van Pelt said of Chubb. “We will see what happens there when we get to game time.”
Van Pelt said the game plan will not change if third-year running back D’Ernest Johnson starts in place of Chubb. When the Browns were without Chubb and Kareem Hunt — on injured reserve with a calf injury— Johnson rushed 22 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in the victory over the Broncos.
“We have great confidence that D’Ernest can carry the load,” Van Pelt said.
Johnson doesn’t know how he avoided the COVID-19 outbreak in the running back room.
“It is an unfortunate situation that all of this occurred, but I just try to stay safe, keep my mask and just try to do all of the little things right,” Johnson said.
“It was early morning [Tuesday] they called us and let us know we were close contacts to someone. We all came in and had to take a test. Unfortunately, Nick and Demetric Felton tested positive. I don’t know how I didn’t. I’m just blessed and thankful that I’m negative.”
What Johnson called a “nerve-wracking” situation continues.
“When I woke up this morning, I got a text from the trainer. I figured I tested positive, and I tested negative,” he said.
— Marla Ridenour
Browns discussing who will serve as primary return man if Demetric Felton remains on reserve/COVID-19 list
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer is making contingency plans if punt/kick returner Felton is unable to come off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
“We have several guys we have worked with all summer and all season long. We work a lot of guys every single day just for this reason,” Priefer said. “Hopefully, Demetric will be there, but we are just not sure.”
Rookie receiver Anthony Schwartz, who has averaged 22.5 yards on 10 kickoff returns, could take over. The Browns also have former University of Akron receiver JoJo Natson on the practice squad. Priefer said he has been discussing the options all week with coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry.
“To me, it is wide open. It depends on who we are going to have on Sunday, who is going to be active, and who is going to be inactive,” Priefer said. “Do not want to say who it probably will be. I do not want to give New England a leg up on anything.”
— Marla Ridenour
Browns passing game gets five explosive plays against Bengals
Stefanski has repeatedly said that the Browns needed more from their deep passing game and Van Pelt was pleased that the Browns notched five explosive passes Sunday at Cincinnati.
Along with Peoples-Jones’ 60-yard touchdown and another 26-yard catch, Mayfield hit Chubb for 23 yards, Felton for 22, and tight end Harrison Bryant for 21 yards. Tight end David Njoku caught an 18-yard touchdown and Schwartz added a 15-yard reception.
“A lot of it had to do with defensive structure and scheme of what they played allowed us to take some of those shots down the field. A lot of it was an emphasis on ‘Let’s throw the ball down the field,’” Van Pelt said. “Talked to Baker before the game, and said, ‘I have great confidence. If you see it, throw it.’ He showed that he can get that done.
“There were a lot of plays he made down the field that were exceptional throws — the touchdown to David and the touchdown to Donovan. I want to say we had five explosive passes on the day, so that is where we need to be.”
Van Pelt said the Browns' blueprint is to “run the ball effectively and efficiently and then take our shots when we get them,” along with eliminating turnovers.
— Marla Ridenour
Cleveland Browns receiver Rashard Higgins will get his chance, Alex Van Pelt says
Rashard Higgins, Mayfield’s go-to receiver, played only three of 48 offensive snaps against the Bengals and did not catch a pass, but Van Pelt said Higgins’ opportunities will come following Monday’s release of receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Higgins has 14 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown this season.
“He has to be productive when he gets in there — that is the biggest thing,” Van Pelt said. “We do have great confidence in Rashard. Now obviously with the receiver room being lessened through Odell, he will get his chances. I know Baker has great confidence in him. He has shown that he can be productive. Over the course of the last [six] seasons, he has had some really big games.”
— Marla Ridenour
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns' Baker Mayfield expected to face Patriots despite sore foot
