BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns won an AFC North Division game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland Sunday, but instead of the 27-19 victory, the discussion is hovering around quarterback Baker Mayfield and his comments about the team’s medical staff.
Following the game, Mayfield addressed the nagging injury wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been dealing with throughout the 2019 season and said if it was handled properly, the Pro Bowl receiver might have missed only a couple games rather than playing hurt the whole year.
Those comments did not sit well with Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, and he opened his Monday press conference at team headquarters in Berea by addressing the matter further.
“I talked to Baker about it this morning, and just like he stated last night, he understands we don’t want him addressing other players’ injuries in that manner especially,” Kitchens said. “Odell and our training staff have done a tremendous job of getting Odell to the game each and every week to this point. For that, they’ve done a good job.
“It’s been addressed, and he understands how to handle things like that moving forward.”
Although not willing to address in specifics what he and Mayfield spoke about, Kitchens did say the two reached an understanding and that it should not cause any type of rift between the players and the medical/training staff.
“No, I’m not worried about it,” Kitchens said. “Our training staff does a fine job. I’m not worried about that at all.
“That’ll stay between us, but I know that Baker, just like he stated last night, he understands the severity of it, and he understands what he did wrong.”
Injury aside, Beckham Jr. has made an impact during the 2019 season.
In 13 games this season, his first with the Browns, Beckham Jr. has converted his 59 receptions into 844 yards, a 14.3 yards-per-catch average, with a long play of 89 yards and two touchdowns. Also, Beckham Jr. has rushed for 10 yards on three carries.
On the Browns, Beckham Jr. is second only to his close friend and former Louisiana State University teammate, Jarvis Landry, in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Beckham Jr. is tied for the best yards-per-reception average among wide receivers and has the team’s longest scrimmage play of the season, regardless of position, all while dealing with what is being reported as a sports hernia.
“Our training staff and Odell have done a tremendous job moving forward and getting him to the game each and every week,” Kitchens said. “That’s really the only thing. I don’t discuss potentials, so I’ll just leave it at that.
“I think he’s helping the team. Odell’s done a good job. He wants to be out there for his teammates, and I’d like him to be out there for his teammates. He’s been doing a good job of getting prepared during the course of the week to get to the game on Sunday.”
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