Mayfield sidelined 4-6 months after shoulder surgery

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield faces four-to-six months of recovery after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, the team announced.

Mayfield is expected to begin light throwing in April and should be able to participate in the Browns' offseason program in a limited capacity.

The signal-caller had the procedure after laboring through the injury for most of the 2021 season. He threw for 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns - both career lows - and committed 13 interceptions for a Browns team that fell short of the playoffs and lofty preseason expectations.

"This is not the end of my story," Mayfield said in a video posted to social media. "It's just going to be one of those little things that I'll look back and remember that it's one of those challenges and adversity that I'm going to try and take advantage of and it'll make me a better person."

Mayfield threw for 3,563 yards with 26 touchdowns and only eight interceptions in a healthier 2020 campaign, leading the Browns to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

The 2018 No. 1 overall pick is scheduled to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2022.