CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will sit out the season finale against Cincinnati so he can undergo shoulder surgery.
Mayfield was sacked nine times in Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati sacks leader Trey Hendrickson and three other starters are among five Bengals that have been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list. Center Trey Hopkins and left guard Quinton Spain were sidelined along with safety Vonn Bell. The fifth player is Akeem Davis-Gaither.
The Bengals have clinched the AFC North title for their first trip to the playoffs since the 2015 season. Playoff qualifiers Green Bay and Arizona have players coming off and going on the COVID-19 list. Each team has two starters returning.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— The Kansas City Chiefs should have left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. on the field when they visit the Broncos on Saturday. The Chiefs need to beat the Broncos and hope Tennessee loses to Houston on Sunday to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
— The New York Jets placed left tackle George Fant and defensive end Bryce Huff on injured reserve. Tight end Dan Brown was placed on the practice squad IR. All three were injured in the Jets’ 28-24 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.
— 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. Dupree is scheduled to be booked in three weeks. The Titans issued a statement saying they are “aware of the situation and are gathering additional information.”
— Washington’s NFL team says it will unveil its new name on Feb. 2. The helmets and uniforms will still feature the franchise’s signature burgundy and gold colors.
