CLEVELAND — Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will sit out the season finale against Cincinnati so he can undergo shoulder surgery.
Mayfield, who has played with a torn labrum and fracture in his non-throwing shoulder most of the season, was sacked nine times in Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Afterward, he said he would consider not playing against the AFC North champion Bengals.
Coach Kevin Stefanski began his news conference by announcing that Mayfield and the team decided that the best option for him was to get the operation now so he has more time to recover ahead of next season.
“Obviously frustrating for him, but we felt this was the best thing for him right now,” Stefanski said.
The surgery is still being scheduled, Stefanski said.
Stefanski said he trusted the information he got from the team’s medical staff all season in continuing to play Mayfield, who struggled with inaccuracy and never found a rhythm with Cleveland’s offense.
Mayfield played with a harness on his shoulder, which affected his ability to throw. He was determined to keep playing despite the injuries. The 26-year-old threw six interceptions in his final two games.
• Doug Dieken, who after retiring as a left tackle for the Browns became a beloved radio color commentator for the team, is retiring from broadcasting after spending 50-plus years with the organization.
Dieken’s last game will be Cleveland’s season finale on Sunday against Cincinnati. The 72-year-old Dieken played in 203 consecutive games over 14 seasons for the Browns before retiring in 1985.
WASHINGTON: Washington’s NFL team announced it will unveil its new name on Feb. 2 and that it will not be the Wolves or RedWolves. Commanders, Admirals, Armada, Brigade, Sentinels, Defenders, Red Hogs, Presidents and the status quo “Washington Football Team” were among the other finalists.
“We are on the brink of starting a new chapter, but our history, our legacy cannot be lost along the way,” team president Jason Wright said in an episode of the team-produced show “Making the Brand.” “Now, more than ever, it’s important that we stay connected to our roots. We understand the importance of choosing a meaningful name: one that will anchor the team for the next 90 years and beyond.”
Wright said the decision was made not to go with Wolves or RedWolves because of trademarks held by other organizations. Those possibilities were popular among Washington fans. The new helmets and uniforms will feature the franchise’s signature burgundy-and-gold colors, with three stars on the collar and stripes on the shoulders of otherwise plain jerseys.
• Jalen Hurts is asking the Washington Football Team to take action after narrowly escaping harm when fans fell onto the field because a railing in the corner of FedEx Field gave way as the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback was walking into the tunnel after Sunday’s game.
Hurts avoided the railing and calmly helped some fans to their feet. Mark Tenally, a photo runner for The Associated Press who was standing under the railing, was injured and attended to by medical personnel.
The team said in a statement: “To our knowledge, everyone involved was offered onsite medical evaluation and left the stadium of their own accord. We’re very glad no one appears to have been seriously injured. The safety of our fans and guests is of the utmost importance and we are looking into what occurred.”
Hurts sent a letter to the NFL and the team, saying: “I am writing to inquire what follow-up action is being considered.”
“I tried to handle the situation with a lot of poise and show compassion for the people that fell down, really, but it could’ve been so much worse,” Hurts said Tuesday. “It didn’t hit me until after the fact, having time to reflect on it and think about it, so I just wanted to see what could be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again. That’s all I really care about it. That’s a very tragic incident and it could’ve been much, much worse but I don’t want it to happen again.”
CHIEFS: Kansas City should have left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. on the field when they visit the Broncos on Saturday.
Brown hurt his calf muscle during pregame warm-ups and missed last week’s last-second loss in Cincinnati. But he did just about everything in practice Tuesday and Coach Andy Reid said he expects Brown on the field in Denver.
The Chiefs (11-5) need to beat the Broncos and hope Tennessee loses to Houston on Sunday to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
The news wasn’t as good for right tackle Lucas Niang, who tore his patellar tendon early on against the Bengals. He’ll miss the rest of the season, pushing backup tackle Andrew Wylie back into the starting lineup the rest of the way.
TITANS: Tennessee outside linebacker Bud Dupree has been charged with misdemeanor assault in connection with a physical altercation at a Walgreen’s hours after the Titans clinched their second straight AFC South title.
Metro Nashville police detectives cited Dupree on Tuesday morning after consulting with the district attorney’s office. Dupree and his attorney met with detectives Tuesday morning. According to the citation, a Walgreen’s employee argued with some people shopping around 8 p.m. Those people left and came back into the store with Dupree who “then grabbed the victim and his phone” followed by the altercation before Dupree left.
JETS: New York Jets left tackle George Fant and defensive end Bryce Huff on injured reserve Tuesday, ending their seasons before the team’s finale at Buffalo.
Fant, in his second season with New York, was the starter at right tackle in Week 1 but slid over to the left side when Mekhi Becton was injured in the opener. Fant has played well this season as one of the consistent bright spots on the Jets’ offensive line.
Huff, who missed seven weeks with a back injury before returning three weeks ago, had two sacks in nine games.
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