TOM WITHERS
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) greets Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield after an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. Back-to-back Heisman Trophies at Oklahoma followed, then No. 1 overall draft picks and now NFL fame as starting quarterbacks, Murray and Mayfield are forever linked. On Sunday, their close friendship gets put on hold. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Cardinals' Murray, Browns' Mayfield renew friendly rivalry

By Tom Withers Oct. 14, 2021 06:39 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — They were once college teammates, two ultra-competitive, trash

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Out of touch: OBJ not getting ball enough so far for Browns

By Tom Withers Oct. 14, 2021 04:43 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — A frequent target of critics, Odell Beckham Jr. isn't in

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns missing key players as they prepare for 5-0 Cards

By Tom Withers Oct. 13, 2021 01:14 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Keeping slippery Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray under

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores past Cleveland Browns safety M.J. Stewart Jr. (36) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Browns place tackle Hubbard, 2 others on injured reserve

By Tom Withers Oct. 12, 2021 01:11 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns have placed versatile offensive lineman Chris

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Browns' Stefanski admits he's "sick" about late play-calling

By Tom Withers Oct. 11, 2021 05:03 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — There were numerous bumps and bruises absorbed by the Browns

FILE - Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) walks onto the field during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, file photo. Browns rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was released from a Los Angeles hospital and cleared to travel after being treated and evaluated for a bruised throat. Owusu-Koramoah got hurt in the second half of Sunday's, Oct. 10, 2021, 47-42 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He was taken to a hospital near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., according to a team spokesman. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Browns LB Owusu-Koramoah returns after LA hospital stay

By Tom Withers Oct. 11, 2021 10:40 AM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah returned to

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, right, runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (4) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Browns starting LT Wills out versus Chargers, LB Walker back

By Tom Withers Oct. 09, 2021 12:13 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Baker Mayfield's blind side — and damaged left shoulder — will

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns star Garrett misses second practice, expects to play

By Tom Withers Oct. 08, 2021 01:53 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns star defensive end and NFL sacks leader Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
AP source: Browns' Mayfield has torn labrum in left shoulder

By Tom Withers Oct. 07, 2021 10:29 AM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — For now, Baker Mayfield's going to play through the pain —

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Browns' Mayfield not blaming inaccuracy on shoulder harness

By Tom Withers Oct. 06, 2021 07:16 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Baker Mayfield's throws were either too high, too low or too

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Browns won 14-7. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Rookie CB Newsome out again for Browns, defense banged up

By Tom Withers Oct. 06, 2021 01:48 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns starting linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. returned to

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) celebrates after making a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Browns won 14-7. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Browns' defense dominating, surprising after sluggish start

By Tom Withers Oct. 04, 2021 03:34 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — There figured to be an adjustment period for Cleveland's

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) rushes against Chicago Bears free safety Eddie Jackson (4) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Running wild: Browns' Hunt a 'devil' when he has the ball

By Tom Withers Oct. 01, 2021 03:03 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Arms flailing, legs churning while kicking up grass and dirt

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws over Cleveland Browns defensive end Takkarist McKinley (55) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Browns' McKinley moved by team support during personal leave

By Tom Withers Sep. 30, 2021 04:49 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Takk McKinley was touched as he looked around the room and saw

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Return trip: Browns' Stefanski heads 'home' to face Vikings

By Tom Withers Sep. 29, 2021 06:30 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Stefanski won't be swinging through any old

FILE - Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) is shown during a preseason NFL football game, in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Aug. 14, 2021, file photo. Browns starting rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II will miss this week's game at Minnesota with a calf injury. Coach Kevin Stefanki opened his Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, media briefing by ruling Newsome out against the Vikings.(AP Photo/Don Montague, File)
Browns starting CB Newsome out this week with calf injury

By Tom Withers Sep. 29, 2021 02:03 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II will miss this week

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) jumps over players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Browns turned to Hunt to jump-start offense against Bears

By Tom Withers Sep. 27, 2021 03:09 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — After two first-quarter possessions ended in failure with the

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. warms up before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
'Exhausted' OBJ relieved comeback with Browns complete

By Tom Withers Sep. 26, 2021 07:27 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — All kinds of emotions enwrapped Odell Beckham Jr. from the

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a 13-yard touchdown pass to Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Garrett, Browns rough up rookie QB Fields, slam Bears 26-6

By Tom Withers Sep. 26, 2021 04:26 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) — Justin Fields had nowhere to run or hide. Passing was strictly

FILE - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is shown before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. Odell Beckham Jr. has been cleared for takeoff. The star Browns wide receiver made it full through a full week of practice without any issues with his reconstructed knee and coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, that Beckham will make his return Sunday against the Chicago Bears. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)
Go route: Browns' Beckham to return Sunday against Bears

By Tom Withers Sep. 24, 2021 01:49 PM EDT
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Odell Beckham Jr. has been cleared for takeoff.