Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would only say "we'll see" when asked Monday whether starting quarterback Baker Mayfield would practice Wednesday.
The situation with Mayfield's injured left shoulder is obviously fluid, but USA Today's Josina Anderson reported Tuesday a league source said there is an expectation Mayfield will participate in Wednesday's practice in some capacity, barring any setbacks.
Mayfield sat out Thursday night's 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos with a completely torn labrum and fractured humerus bone in his non-throwing shoulder. He remained idle for Monday's practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea.
Mayfield hopes to play Sunday when the Browns (4-3) meet the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) at FirstEnergy Stadium, but he also had hoped to face the Broncos before a decision was made Wednesday to shut him down for the week.
Mayfield had received all of the team repetitions with the starting offense on Oct. 19, two days before the Broncos game, Stefanski said, meaning his shoulder didn't respond well enough after he participated in that practice. For example, the swelling in Mayfield's shoulder didn't subside to the point where he could adequately strengthen it through exercises ahead of the Broncos game, a person familiar with the situation said.
If Mayfield doesn't receive the requisite medical clearance to play on Halloween, backup quarterback Case Keenum would make his second consecutive start as the Browns open the AFC North portion of their schedule.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.
