Baker Mayfield Injury Update
Posted on: July 1, 2015
Image via Tulsa World
In this past Monday’s Open Post, we first told you about OU quarterback Baker Mayfield being unable to participate in the player led 7-on-7 offseason workouts due to an apparent shoulder injury. Earlier this afternoon, I was able to confirm that Mayfield again did not participate in the team’s 7-on-7 workout today.
We can also report, after having confirmed through two independent sources, that Mayfield’s absence from recent workouts is in fact related to a rotator cuff injury with his throwing shoulder. At this time, however, we are still seeking confirmation from a second source regarding the severity of the injury.
In the mean time, I did reach out to a friend of mine who trains NFL quarterbacks, and was himself a quarterback, just to get some general information about rotator cuff injuries. Firstly, he adamantly stated that missing a week of practice means something is wrong. In other words, it is not normal for a quarterback to need to sit a week to rest their shoulder, especially in the summer when the number of repetitions are not similar to those they would be taking in say fall camp, for example.
However, my friend did offer this bit of encouraging news in that it is possible to play through a rotator cuff injury. He shared with me that he played an entire season with a torn rotator cuff, “with a lot of ibuprofen.” So according to him a rotator cuff injury is painful but, depending of course on the severity of the injury, it doesn’t necessarily limit the mobility of the arm.
We will of course continue to keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.
166 Comments
Thanks for the update. Certainly don’t like where this is headed.
You’re welcome Barry
did your friend talk about loss of arm strength if he plays through it
I did a little but more so in the context of his own situation when he played through it and he said that it didn’t affect his arm strength. It just hurt a lot.
The statement that it was similar in nature to Heupel’s injury in 2000 is a concern. If you remember, Josh was nowhere close to the same player the second half of the season, and the offense suffered for it. Hope that’s not the case.
Remember gents, a tear is not a tear is not a tear. Your friend may have had a small tear on a tendon that wasn’t as impacting the humerus when it sinks down into the joint ime. throwing motion
This is good information.
My shoulder dislocates quite easily. I do a lot of olympic weightlifting. Snatches (giggle) put my shoulder in a highly compromised position because of the rotation of the shoulder in the catch. However, a jerk is much different. There isn’t much of a compromised position in the overhead position. Thus, I can jerk way more than I can snatch.
This post is vaguely obscene.
Snatch can and will put you in quite a few compromising positions but it is definitely more rewarding than jerk.
The jerk is more about brute force while the snatch is about finesse. *giggles*
Honestly, I was encouraged by what K’s friend had to say. To this point, everything I’d heard was that if he in fact has a tear in that rotator cuff (which I’m NOT saying he does) I’d been led to believe it could potentially cost him this season.
Hope so Jordan. Hard to generate a lot of optimism right now for some reason. I keep thinking of a re-punt. ha
I played baseball and had some rotator cuff problems as well and I could still throw but I also lost velocity went from throwing 87-89-mph to 78-82 mph even after physical therapy
I was a catcher and after making those snap throws my shoulder sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies when the milk gets added.
Funny, that’s all I ever played since peewee. Never played an inning of any other position. Two things I can’t do well anymore, 1) throw, 2) squat down.
I haven’t tried throwing anything in a while. The crunchy shoulder got annoying I quit all throwing activities, including darts which I dearly loved and racquetball…softball…etc.
I can still squat with no trouble or pain, just can’t get up as quick.
I loved catcher, though, best position on the field. The entire game was in front of you and you got to call the pitches. I wear the battle scars from my youth and my grey hair proudly.
Some hot days back there behind the plate in the middle of summer. It was fun. I throw everyday as my son is working on his QB stuff. after warm up he goes for the 30 to 40 yarders and I have to throw it back – he catches it on the short hop.
I never paid attention to the heat. About the only place that had a/c back then was the movie theater, so we were accustomed to it. After baseball was over we were on the farm working from 4a.m. to dinner time chopping cotton, baling hay or bringing in the corn.
When two-a-day practices for football began in August I always gained weight. Just practicing twice a day for a few hours in the Texas summer was easy compared to what we did before then.
I didn’t have AC till i went to OU. Then I got allergies. Grew up with a huge attic fan. Take a shower and go to bed a little damp and have the wind blow over me. My granddad owned a cotton gin and those machines were loud. Heat never bothered me cause I was out in it all day long everyday. Well, other then the skin cancer they had to take off, all good. I still hang outside everyday.
Ditto..
Funny, I don’t regret anything no matter how much it hurts. I wouldn’t trade it, to many memories.
Ditto.
I’ve had it lock up on me while sleeping a few times, but other than not a big thing.
Doesn’t help that I separated my throwing shoulder playing football.
I wouldn’t think so.
I was fortunate, no major joint injuries as a catcher or lineman unlike some guys I knew that would blow out a knee if they sneezed.
I can predict the weather better than the weather man.
Me too, with all the different broken bones I’ve had.
I experience something similar. My shoulder will dislocate in the middle of the night if I sleep on it wrong. It is NOT enjoyable. Do not recommend.
Your post is vaguely obscene.
Nunh-unh!
Your’s on the other hand.
/yikes
Trevor knight right now
Ugh No!
I have a shoulder problem from baseball where if I start trying to throw hard it starts to hurt and been told I may have a partially torn rotator cuff but to me a tear is a tear. My point being… I doubt it’s anything to really worry about.
So, TFB sources say rotator cuff… & Scoops say bursitis… I guess we’ll see who’s got better injury sources..
I haven’t seen anyone report anything on it other than just mentioning he has some soreness. Most seem to be insisting he doesn’t have an injury at all from what I’ve seen.
Emig’s sources said, Baker “has a sore shoulder but definitely not a rotator cuff injury..” Carey’s have said “at worst it’s a bursa sac injury similar to Josh Heupel…”
Was the quote from Carey a comment from a source or was that speculation? Unfortunately it does appear to be a rotator cuff injury.
It was him speaking on Tulsa sports radio.. It seems like you’re all getting different information… Any chance the staff is just trying to flush out some of the “sources” of information..?
I don’t reckon so. I’ve heard it from too many folks.
For the record, im not questioning your info… It just appears people are being told different things regarding this “injury”…
Connor McGinnis.
Thanks for the update Super K. We will just have to see how this plays out and whether or not he continues to miss time. Better to take some time now and get better than having this happen at the beginning of fall camp.
You’re welcome Ed!
Exactly. Could be as simple as he pissed it off and they would rather him rest it now than be forced to later
welcome back
Oh, ****.
or
OK, let’s just wait and see.
or
It’s fine, we’re stacked. Next up.
Take your pick.
Thanks for the update K.
You’re welcome!
If this injury keeps him from the 7 on 7 drills, he is most likely done for the season anyway. You guys know this is where timing, audibles, and receivers just generally get on the same page as the QB. Repetition is key with this offense as it has to work like a well oiled machine.
I just don’t think he would get enough reps in the fall practice to recover.
From what we saw last Spring and all but two throws this Spring game, BM is on the same page with his guys. I would expect him to start only if he is far ahead of the others, if not Knight or Thomas will go. If BM isn’t that far ahead, the injury is no big deal.
Think it’s all going to depend on if BM is good to go for fall camp.
No doubt. I think we need to pay close attention to the time table because rotator cuff surgery is most successful if it is perfomed within a few 2-3 weeks after the injury. What’s it been one week now?
If serious or painful during the season, it leaves us very thin. Two other scholly QB’s and a freshman walk on. Not ideal but staying positive.
Yep. Thin because Hansen left and Knight has missed games due to injury two years in a row. If Thomas cannot move the ball through the air again, I’d ask him to transfer as well.
Any idea on how long to recover from surgery if he has it now?
He will miss the fall and possibly all of the spring if repaired surgically. It is about 9 – 12 months.
I agree. If Baker is clearly much better than everyone else, then he will start.
I think that’s how this stuff works anyways…
Better to rest it now and have him available later eh?
LandThieves posted that this was severe bruise.
No disrespect to what anyone else is reporting, or just saying (or whatever), but I’ll ride w/ our sources on this.
If we/they wind up being wrong, I’ll gladly own it. But knowing all that has went into what we’ve reported, I’m confident in what we’ve put out there.
Good enough for me. I wasn’t challenging TFB, just trying to get a definitive answer to the extent of the injury. If he needs surgery it is normally done within a few weeks so…we should know by next Wed or so…If no surgery, then I say he’ll start.
Didn’t take it as a challenge or mean to imply as such. No different than what happened before. There will be others, virtually everyone now that OU has come out and kind of denied it, but I still stand by what we reported.
Again, if it proves we were wrong with regards to what our sources were telling us then we’ll own that. As we always have.
*cough* you were saying
^^^^^^
haha, believe it or not there has been no change on my end. I know what OU is saying, but I also know they didn’t deny or even specifically address what is causing this “shoulder fatigue.”
IMO, it’s this simple. Literally everyone, including OU, who has commented and/or reported on this has said exactly what we first reported – Baker Mayfield has a shoulder issue.
The only difference between what everyone else has said and what we reported is that, according to our two sources, we have offered a cause (the rotator cuff) for said shoulder issue.
We never said or even remotely implied that it was more serious than it may or may not be, or that it was going to require surgery, or whatever else the Internet wants to try and twist it into.
If you (and I mean you in the general, collective sense) really go back and read what we’ve said, all that’s happened since is everyone confirming our report/s, including this most recent comment from OU (which, I might add, was pretty unprecedented in terms of them both specifically addressing an injury “rumor” & in effect calling out an organization publicly).
Haha I know Esco, I was simply pulling your strings
all good 🙂
With Tennessee having a pretty good public reaction to the new uniforms they unveiled today, is there any news about OU’s from awhile back?
Not jinxing anything at all! Hope Bake gets better quick…IM JUS SAYIN!
KJ1123 • 13 days ago
I actually like Cody and was telling someone recently that he is my “darkhorse” bet to be the one QB to come out on top. Just a hunch.
http://static.tumblr.com/978fb246d2803684daa35ca2743008dd/hh4gbzj/SEcmhk92g/tumblr_static_wink.gif
J-Law gif gets an automatic upvote from this guy
I had made it almost the whole day without thinking of my all time biggest crush (besides the wife).
No clue who this gal is.
Jennifer Lawrence isn’t it?
No idea.
She played in the hunger games and American hustle.
That’s the Hunger Games gal?
Hunh, doesn’t look like her. She’s okay, in a last one left before the bar closes kind of way.
Pshhhhh! You must have higher standards than I.
did you see american hustle? def worth a look….
No I haven’t. I only watch movies that are on free TV and it also depends on who else is in it as to whether I will even watch it then.
I like good “con”/caper movies, so this was right in my ballpark. Bradley Cooper is one of the stars, if that helps. 🙂 and J. Lawrence is terrific in it, she apparently can do anything.
Sweet little thing.
Dang…..I’d up vote her 1000 times if I could!! Post of the week right there!!
Before this injury, all I could think was, “Don’t count out Cody Thomas.”
All of a sudden that thought has become a feeling. “Don’t count out Cody Thomas.”
I, uh. I-I. Wha…what?
[Screams. Picks up chair and throws it at cat. Screams again and runs into wall. Stands. Runs into wall again. Sobs like an infant].
You’ll feel better after supper.
http://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/sloppy-joe-tater-tot-casserole-.jpg
Thanks for the update, Super K.
You invest a significant amount of your time bringing us these tidbits of info and is very much appreciated.
Sadly injuries are part of this game we love and they are always unwelcome, whether it is during the off season or the regular season.
It’s a good thing BM seems to have a good attitude in general, these past two years have been tumultuous for him.
You’re welcome!
EasTex and I’m still rather disappointed that you won’t allow me to pay you all monthly for you services…
I could go check out Boudreaux, however. You know, all spy like. His high school is not too far from me.
Really, I’m begging to repay somehow.
http://southparkstudios.mtvnimages.com/shared/downloads/images/season-8/804/804_image-16.jpg?width=320
I’m not fat, Goddamm!t! I’m big boned!
There are too many scenarios to really speculate. I had a full tear of the superspanitus, which is one of the most common tendons to tear. However, a full tear most often requires surgery- especially if it has retracted.
If BM has a partial tear, bursitis, and/or impingement, he “may” be able to play and be effective with treatment. This is most likely the nature of the injury of K’s QB friend that was able play through his injury.
If BM has a full tear, it looks like we are going to rest our hopes and dreams on TK or CT.
A tear is not a tear is not a tear. Let’s hope for the best.
Thanks for the insight!
Dalton Wood on Campus would have been nice for QB depth
If he hasn’t has surgery yet, then maybe that’s good news.
Because you know team doctors have already taken a look at it.
I love all the news everyone from TFB puts on here but maybe next week or until the season starts we only post positive things I’m not sure my little heart can take any more disappointment.
Don’t you have the inside info that says he’s fine?
Yes he has said in person and on snapchat he was fine.
HE doesn’t know if he is fine. Won’t know until he has an MRI most likely, and even that won’t necessarily be 100% telling on whether he is fine or not. Shoulder injuries are no joke. Trust me.
Rotator cuff injury…and people are still lactose intolerant. Come on people, this is 2015. Grow up. #jokes
After reading a few posts below, I’d like to put a moratorium on calling Baker Mayfield “BM.” Just saying, gents.
You are on a roll tonight.
/i’ll try the veal
We remain QB-challenged, unfortunately.
perhaps. or system/play-calling challenged. if they play well this year we will know it was system challenged. if they don’t, you are correct. I tend to the think you are wrong
I hope you are right and I am wrong.
Years like 2014 are tough to take.
I hope u are wrong too for the sake of this season!!! 🙂
I wonder what Justice Hansen is thinking now.
I do hope knight gets a chance to redeem himself but not at the expense of injuries to get back on top of the depth chart. Hopefully baker gets healthy and so does mixon because I want to see what this team can do at full strength. I think they’re good enough to surprise people and win the big 12.
Baker simply has “shoulder fatigue”, ladies and gents. It’s ok to go to bed.
Lol it looks like the TFB needs to get some better sources!
One comment?
Hit the road troll.
TFB’s been good to us. Be nice.
Troll.
Forgive me oh wise lord of the internets. I apologize if my one comment offended your fragile sensibilities.
You couldn’t possibly offend my sensibilities. You are an ankle-biting troll.
Oh I know just giving them some grief. They may be right actually and OU is trying to downplay it
Well if it is coming from Stoops, then that means Mayfield is on his deathbed.
July 2, 2015
Thanx. Hopefully that’s all it is.
Sure took them long enough to finally say something. “Shoulder fatigue” sounds as vague as a “flesh wound.”
Exactly.
OU seems pretty adamant that it’s a sore shoulder and that you guys are wrong. Only time will tell.
Nice to see you on here!
Ladies and gents, let’s take a solemn attitude here. Similar to Baker, I have been dealing with adrenal fatigue for some time now. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/adrenal-fatigue/faq-20057906
*conspiracy alert* Bad info was whispered to expose possible leaks before going into fall where a new system is being installed. Crazy right? Different stories from different sites all with sources. I’m just gonna wait this one out on the sideline…….#offseason.
actually, he left the team and is a re-walk-on at tech
Don’t watch the player….watch the girlfriend. It’s an old trick I learned years ago. 🙂
Hmmm, good point.
We are going to need more eyes on this.
https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/daily-afternoon-randomness-49-photos-3511.jpg?w=600&h=472
Snipe dog > snoop dog. 🙂
You the man, Sooner Ray.
I wanna see vid of him pulling the trigger then Ill be impressed
true, in that case he’s shacked up with gf and switched to soccer
…
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Glensgages/movies/InspectorClouseaurolling-eyes.gif
Cato!!
I brought that up earlier & was told “unlikely because they’ve heard it from so many different people..”
If he can throw a ball still, the injury is irrelevant. If he can’t perform, it’s an issue. Rotator cuff/fatigue/amputation or whatever, he’s still being held out if 7-on-7’s. That’s what’s important.
He just needs to rub some dirt on it….. and get back at it.
Or soak it in cider……something like that.
I want to hear from JJ on this.
She would just say “pour some bourbon on it” LOL!
Mmmmmmm….bourbon!
Im more of a scotch guy myself..but Ill throw down bourbon with anybody as long as they’re interesting…or a good looking gal
I’m not interesting or a gal but some say I look good with a drink in my hand. 🙂
Well Im not a gal…and actually more mysterious than interesting (in my mind lol ) but I look good too..ha….true story here…JBlackmon introduced himself to me at a bar recently lol
You sure?
I’ve never seen her once recommend a topical application of bourbon.
I actually was considering an edit because we both know she’s not a big Baker fan and there is no way she is going to waste any bourbon. Lol.
Maybe you guys should cut out the middle man and just drink the bourbon yourself…
Tabaky spit used to work wonders.
That’s funny. I’ve spent my share of days in the tabaky fields.
This^^^^ Rub a little dirt on it.
Got concussed in high school and stumbled over to my coach; “coach, I got tackled and hit my head, seeing double out of one eye, don’t really know what I’m doing.”
He gave me a tongue depressor and told me to “stick it down your throat until you throw up, then you’ll be fine.”
I have a friend who was on OU last year and he checked with some guys still on the team. he told me that its is just soreness and that everyone is just being cautious with it.
Hope it’s true for everyone’s sake.
Honestly if it ends up being serious I’m not really worried about the QB position. Yes I know QB play wasn’t very good last year but there is some qualities that I like about all 3 of the QB’s.
Baker Mayfield – If his shoulder injury is not significant then this is probably the favorite to start the season. I loved watching Baker play at Tech in the first few games, it was cool to see a walk-on do good.
Pros: Been in this offense before, Accurate passer, Does not show any fear when on the field, he throws a lot of spirals.
Cons: While Baker has a good arm, he probably has the weakest of the 3 QB’s, he will make the “WTF were you thinking” throws which will lead to plenty of turnovers.
Trevor Knight – I will admit I do like Trevor as a QB, and I’m kind of rooting for him.
Pros: Great Athleticism, Has a very strong arm, When he’s on there’s no stopping him, he’s a leader, he has so much talent hopefully Lincoln Riley can get him figured out.
Cons: Hasn’t ran this type of offense before, He’s a inconsistent player, needs to work on his touch, gets injured a lot, and he turns the ball over a lot too.
Cody Thomas – When I saw him commit to OU I thought he was gonna be the guy after Landry.
Pros: He’s got great arm strength, he ran this offense in high school, he’s 6’4 (I prefer this height for QB’s), he is surprisingly quick and he runs the read option very well.
Cons: Even though he played in some of the worst conditions his accuracy was not very good, he threw quite a few interceptions when he was in and he looked lost at times.
All good points.
I would add that when Shep went down the passing game went with him, irrespective of who the QB was.
I’m seeing a trend here, all cons involve turnovers. That doesn’t get me excited over any of these guys. I hope at least one of them “gets it” while under Riley.
Trevor has some issues; but many of them seemed to be no one named Sterling being able to get open and him locking onto Sterling too often. He also tends to throw a low ball. All of these things seem fixable to me, and his ceiling is very high!
Long time lurker- first time poster. From a medical perspective, rotator cuff injury is a tremendously broad spectrum of things. It is a good sign that no surgical intervention has been pursued, but throwing on some injuries would be a very bad idea. Would be curious to hear how he injured it, and I could probably tell you a lot more about prognosis/recovery with more info. Love the board, keep posting great info guys!
p.s ekalika over on scout board in case anyone is curious
Welcome aboard!
Thanks for your info. I suspect we will get precious little beyond rumors until August camp. There is excellent info here from the TFB guys and some from the posters as well. Hope you enjoy it like I do.
haha thank you for the warm welcome!
Bunch of good guys & gals so join in.
I have had a rotator cuff injury on my dominant shoulder, hurts like a mother! Can go through regular motions, just every now and then you get a severely sharp pain and the arm goes dead. At least mine did/does.
Me too, and it’s very painful. Once the pain starts during a game, it builds and intensifies to the point where you can’t hold up your arm, and that’s playing baseball. I would imagine this could be worse throwing a football and the motion required.
Mine was during tennis, so I completely understand your description during a baseball game! And yes on the throwing motion, I couldn’t life my arm to serve
I wish we could offer Johnnies or something to first-time posters.
Trying to keep it positive so on a good note both TK and CT will be getting quite a lot of extra snaps which should certainly help out in familiarizing themselves with the WRs and the scheme.
I am a Truck Driver in Melbourne Australia I suffered a rotatorcuff injury from throwing straps over a load on my truck About 4 years ago and as a result of me continuing to do the same thing every day I have been in constant pain, However last Monday night 29 June 2015 I was given a patch to put on my shoulder I was told it would last 24-48 hours, I couldn’t believe it the pain was gone after about an hour I slept well painfree all night and work the next day painfree it lasted 72 hours, when I took the patch off , within I would say an hour the pain was back. the patch is called a “Powerstrip” and you can get them at http://www.smartpainrelief.fgxpress.com this for me is and I don’t use the term loosely a miracle.
Best wishes David Moore +610414489456 I would be happy to share this with you further
I am a Truck Driver in Melbourne Australia I suffered a rotatorcuff injury from throwing straps over a load on my truck About 4 years ago and as a result of me continuing to do the same thing every day I have been in constant pain, However last Monday night 29 June 2015 I was given a patch to put on my shoulder I was told it would last 24-48 hours, I couldn’t believe it the pain was gone after about an hour I slept well painfree all night and work the next day painfree it lasted 72 hours, when I took the patch off , within I would say an hour the pain was back. the patch is called a “Powerstrip” and you can get them at http://www.smartpainrelief.fgxpress.com this for me is and I don’t use the term loosely a miracle.
Best wishes David Moore +610414489456 I would be happy to share this with you further
I am a Truck driver in Melbourne Australia I suffered a rotatorcuff injury from throwing straps over a load on my truck About 4 years ago and as a result of me continuing to do the same thing every day I have been in constant pain, However last Monday night 29 June 2015 I was given a patch to put on my shoulder I was told it would last 24-48 hours, I couldn’t believe it the pain was gone after about an hour I slept well painfree all night and work the next day painfree it lasted 72 hours, when I took the patch off , within I would say an hour the pain was back. the patch is called a “Powerstrip” and you can get them at http://www.smartpainrelief.fgxpress.com this for me is and I don’t use the term loosely a miracle.
Best wishes David Moore +610414489456 I would be happy to share this with you further