Browns' Odell Beckham Jr. says he's had a torn labrum for 10 years, commiserates with Baker Mayfield

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. revealed Thursday that he’s been playing with a torn labrum in his left shoulder since his days at Louisiana State University, so he understands the pain that quarterback Baker Mayfield is experiencing.

Two people with knowledge of the injury confirmed to the USA TODAY Network that Mayfield suffered a partially torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder while trying to make a tackle in a Sept. 19 home victory over the Houston Texans. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose medical information. Mayfield’s accuracy has dropped dramatically in the two games since against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.

“I don’t really care to talk about injuries, but I’ve had this since college. It’s the same thing he’s got,” Beckham said. “I guess you all found out. I’ve had it for 10 years now.

“So I just kind of … It is what it is. I want to go out there and play football, do whatever I gotta do.”

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In his first game back against the Bears after suffering a torn ACL on Oct. 25, Beckham said afterward that his shoulder popped out.

Asked if it does that all the time, Beckham said, “Been happening.”

Asked if that will continue to be the case until he undergoes surgery, Beckham said, “Forever until you probably get it fixed."                                                                              

In his eighth NFL season, Beckham said he wants to avoid surgery. He had the ACL repaired on Nov. 10, and underwent core muscle surgery after the 2019 season.

“I don’t want to be on the surgery table anymore. So, you keep working it,” Beckham said. “You work the muscles around it, you do all of that and then you just go out and play and forget about it. By the time you get out there, you forget about it.”

Beckham said he understands how the injury can affect Mayfield’s throws.

“I tell you, that (expletive) hurts, so he’s tough,” Beckham said of Mayfield. “It doesn’t feel good. There’s days where I woke up that first day after Monday I couldn’t certainly lift the arm. You heard that little (pop sound).

“But it is what it is. We’re gonna go play football. He’s tough. He’s gonna go play.”