Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: Who is really to blame for Odell Beckham Jr.’s struggles?

By Matthew McFatridge

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns can't pull in a first half pass prior to going out of bounds next to William Jackson #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns can't pull in a first half pass prior to going out of bounds next to William Jackson #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 14: Strong safety Morgan Burnett #42 of the Cleveland Browns leaves the game with an injury during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 14: Strong safety Morgan Burnett #42 of the Cleveland Browns leaves the game with an injury during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Who is to blame: The medical staff

It’s not news to anyone that Odell Beckham has been dealing with nagging injuries. Having first shown up on the injury report with a hip injury, OBJ has been on the injury list with a groin injury every week since week 8. The injury even caused the receiver to leave the game Sunday against the Bengals early.

Dealing with a nagging injury is obviously frustrating, but Baker Mayfield may have added fuel to that frustration by some comments about the medical staff’s handling of the injury. When asked about the injury, Mayfield was quick to state his feelings on how things have been handled.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

"“It wasn’t handled the right way in our training room… I think it could have been addressed earlier on.” — Mayfield said via Steve Gardner of USA Today"

While Mayfield did take to Twitter after the game to attempt to clarify his comments, stating he was answering emotionally because he senses OBJ’s frustration for wanting to be out there and playing, it opens the door to question whether the medical staff did indeed handle the situation properly.

With Beckham clearly being held back by these injuries, thus holding back the offense from being 100 percent of what they could be, you have to wonder if a different course of action in his treatment would have Beckham closer to his full potential now for the stretch run of the season.

The Browns need help to make the playoffs at this point, but if Beckham was healthy all year, opponents would be forced to play him and the Browns differently on defense. A few changes here and there could have changed the outcomes of games and completely changed the Browns fortunes on this season.

These are questions we will never know the answers to, however. The injuries are there, and the treatments have been given how they were. If Mayfield is right and is giving everyone insight that the treatments were mishandled, however, the Browns need to investigate and if true, replace their medical staff. It’s either that or risk losing OBJ after one season.

Home/Browns News