BEREA, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield practiced for the second day in a row on Thursday as he attempts to return to the field after missing last Thursday night’s game against the Broncos with a torn labrum and broken bone in his left, non-throwing, shoulder.
The Browns host the Steelers at 1 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.
“I think he’s OK. He seems to be good in meetings,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said on Thursday. “He practiced Wednesday a good amount and looked good.”
No determination has yet been made about Mayfield’s status and he was limited Wednesday and Thursday. If he’s unable to play, backup quarterback Case Keenum will make his second consecutive start. Keenum completed 21 of 33 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown in the Browns’ 17-14 win over Denver.
“Case gets more (practice reps this week) than he normally does,” Van Pelt said. “We don’t split the reps. But all backups are ready to go with no reps and that’s kind of the job of the backup. He’ll be ready to go regardless of how many reps he takes.”
Mayfield wore shoulder pads during Thursday’s practice, the only Browns player who did so, indicating the coaching and medical staff -- and likely Mayfield himself -- wanted to continue testing the shoulder in gamelike conditions, including with what appears to be a new harness on his left arm.
“He’ll go today for sure and then we’ll determine later in the week how he’s feeling,” Van Pelt said. “Obviously, it’s up to the doctors and the medical staff to determine whether he’s ready to go or not.”
The Browns will hold their final practice of the week on Friday.
Bringing the juice
Unsurprisingly, wide receiver Landry didn’t hesitate when asked if he would play on Sunday after another knee injury on Thursday night against the Broncos.
“Yeah, for sure,” he said.
He did admit, however, the injury made him a little nervous when it first happened, especially since it was something stemming from the sprained MCL that caused him to miss four games, he said. The knee was noticeably affecting him when he left his postgame press conference.
“I was very (nervous),” Landry said, “but after the game and these past couple of days, feeling a lot better.”
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt was happy to have Landry back, citing his toughness, hands and playmaking ability. He said Landry is a spark who gets the team’s energy up, especially when he gets the ball in his hands early.
“Getting Juice the ball juices us all up,” Van Pelt said. “Yeah, it is always good to get him going.”
Landry saw eight targets come his way in his return Thursday night, including four in the game’s opening quarter. He finished with a team-high five catches and had 37 yards.
Landry returned to practice on Thursday and was limited after not practicing Wednesday.
Bike brigade
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (ankle, groin, knee), cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (groin) worked to the side during Thursday’s practice.
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods sounded a hopeful tone on the possibility of Clowney playing.
“I hope so,” he said. “I do. I think he is.”
Clowney’s potential to play becomes even more important as defensive end Takk McKinley was added to Thursday’s injury report with a groin. He was limited.
Safety Richard LeCounte was again not at practice for disciplinary reason after breaking team rules. Center JC Tretter, who practiced on Wednesday, did not practice Thursday with his knee injury. Tretter has not missed a snap while dealing with the injury.
Malik Jackson, who did not practice with an ankle injury on Wednesday, returned to practice. Linebacker Tony Fields also returned after missing Wednesday with an illness.
Roster move
The Browns announced they waived tackle Alex Taylor.
Taylor appeared in the last two games as the Browns dealt with injuries to starting tackles Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin. He appeared exclusively on special teams.
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