BEREA, Ohio — When the Cleveland Browns take the field for their Week 8 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, they'll do so with their starting quarterback. On Friday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Baker Mayfield will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
"It's pretty simple. Medically, he's ready to go," Stefanski said on Friday. "Our doctors, our trainers, second opinions, we felt very comfortable about that. Baker, he feels that he's ready."
Mayfield missed Cleveland's Week 7 win over the Denver Broncos while recovering from a shoulder injury that he's been dealing with throughout the bulk of the 2021 season. After suffering a completely torn labrum in his left shoulder while attempting to make a tackle following an interception in the Browns' Week 2 win vs. the Houston Texans, Mayfield reaggravated the injury while taking a sack from defensive end J.J. Watt in Cleveland's Week 6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Shortly ahead of the Browns' kickoff with the Broncos last Thursday night, Mayfield revealed to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer that he had suffered a fractured humerus bone in his left shoulder on the sack from Watt, in which he also fumbled. Per Glazer, Mayfield would wait for the fractured bone to fully heal before making his return to the field.
While the injury didn't force Mayfield to miss a play through Cleveland's first six weeks of the season, veteran backup Case Keenum ultimately started in his place for the Browns' primetime matchup vs. Denver. Making his first start since 2019, Keenum completed 21 of his 33 attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown.
Throughout this past week, Mayfield practiced on a limited basis and could be seen sporting a new harness on his left shoulder. Facing the 3-3 Steelers, the 4-3 Browns are looking to avoid falling to last place in the AFC North on Sunday.