The Cleveland Browns continue to be ravaged by injuries, leading to major changes among their personnel. After hurting his left shoulder in Week 2 against the Houston Texans and then again in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, Baker Mayfield will not start for the Browns in Week 7.

Case Keenum, the highly paid backup, will get his first start for the Browns since joining the team last spring. It will be Keenum’s first start overall since 2019.

Mayfield spoke to the media yesterday about his injury and his desire and plan to play. He noted that he would not play if he felt like he was hurting the team by doing so. Mayfield didn’t practice in the portion of Tuesday’s session that was open to the media but was seen coming onto the field as the media were leaving.

Wednesday morning brought word from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Keenum would be starting:

The #Browns will start Case Keenum on Thursday night vs. the #Broncos.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2021

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The team confirmed this report moments later with the following statement from head coach Kevin Stefanski:

“Case Keenum will be our starter tomorrow night and we have full confidence in him to lead us and do the things necessary to put us in position to win,” Stefanski said. “Baker fought really hard to play, he’s a competitor and obviously wants to be out there but just couldn’t make it on a short week. We know he will continue to do everything in his power to return as quickly as possible.”

In 2019, Keenum spent half the season as the starter for Washington, going 1-7. With the Denver Broncos in 2018, he started all 16 games, and the team was 6-10 that season. The previous year, he went 11-3 while leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship game. He also has starting experience with the Houston Texans and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, going a combined 9-15 over four seasons.

Rapoport noted that Mayfield was adamant about playing but that the decision was made with the doctors, team and the quarterback.

Given Mayfield’s desire to play, the team and doctors must believe that it is not in his or the team’s best interest for that to happen. His injury will not be healed by rest so it will be interesting if and when he is able to return to the field.