Baker Mayfield iffy for Week 7 vs. Bengals

The Steelers blew the Browns out in Week 6, partly because Baker Mayfield was playing with an injury.

Mayfield had been practicing through a rib injury, but felt good enough to start the game. As the game went on, however, he took too many hits to be able to remain in the game. The Browns brought in Case Keenum at quarterback to finish the game.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Mayfield will start in Week 7 if he his healthy. However, he could not guarantee that Mayfield would be healthy enough to start.

If that is the scenario, then Keenum will be the Browns’ starter in their Week 7 game against the Bengals.

The last time the Bengals saw Keenum was in a 2018 loss to the Broncos. Keenum completed 12 passes on 21 attempts for 151 yards and one touchdown. In two regular season games against the Bengals, Keenum is 32 for 44, with 387 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Keenum had a very good season under Mike Zimmer in Minnesota in 2017. Since then, however, he has played for three different teams and hasn’t been able to reach the success he had with the Vikings.

Having Keenum start the game would be a huge help for the Bengals. After the five-point Browns win in Week 2, the starting quarterback and running back would both be out for Week 7, as Nick Chubb is currently on injured reserve.

However, Keenum and backup running back Kareem Hunt would still ensure the Browns have another firepower to score on just about anyone not named Baltimore or Pittsburgh.