Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield finally had surgery on his injured shoulder Wednesday ... and he said it went so well, he's hoping this is a step toward getting back to his "true self."

The Cleveland Browns QB initially injured the shoulder in September while trying to make a tackle following an interception ... and he never seemed to be quite right afterward.

He struggled all year long ... throwing 13 INTs to just 17 TDs, and the Browns ended up missing the playoffs.

But, Baker said just hours after surgery wrapped that he's confident he can now get back to his pre-injury level -- even though the rehab road promises to be grueling.

"It's not going to be an easy one," Mayfield said, "but it's going to be one I'm going to remember, and it's going to be a special one."

Baker added, "This is not the end of my story."

A woman frantically hurried kids into lockdown while NFL player Malik McDowell was roaming naked nearby ... new 911 audio, obtained by TMZ Sports, reveals.

In a call to dispatch ... a female can be heard on the line saying a man -- later identified as Cleveland Browns defensive lineman McDowell -- was "naked walking the premises" in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

The call is redacted, so it's unclear where the woman exactly is, but it seems she's calling from the school that cops say McDowell had walked near before his arrest on Monday afternoon.

"You're going to go into lockdown," the woman can be heard saying on the call. "You're going to have to take these kids into the bathroom, OK? Yes. One-by-one."

The woman then told dispatch McDowell was "out front."

"He's just walking up and down in front of the building," she added ... "He's completely naked."

At another point during the call, the woman can be heard again appearing to rush kids into lockdown, saying, "Whitney, help them get into their safe places!"

Two other callers, meanwhile, urged dispatch to get cops out to the scene ASAP ... describing McDowell as fully nude.

As we reported, cops say they were able to eventually tase McDowell at the scene and take him into custody. In video of the arrest, obtained by TMZ Sports, you can see McDowell was completely naked while interacting with cops.

McDowell was ultimately booked on charges of aggravated battery on an officer, resisting and exposing sex organs in public.

The Browns released a statement on the arrest on Tuesday, saying, "We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. … No further comment at this time."

Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Malik McDowell was completely naked while he was being arrested on Monday ... new video, obtained by TMZ Sports, shows.

In the footage, you can see the 6-foot-6, 290-pound football player did not have a single article of clothing on his body ... as officers tried to subdue him in Deerfield Beach, FL.

McDowell, who had cuffs on his wrists and shackles around his ankles in the clip, appeared to be very agitated with cops, writhing on the ground nearly every time an officer got near him.

At one point, you can see in the video, a cop appeared to kick McDowell to keep him on the ground.

Eventually, McDowell was loaded onto a stretcher and taken away from the scene.

As we reported, cops say in police documents that McDowell stripped naked and was seen walking around near a school.

Officers say when they found him and confronted him, he attacked -- with one cop alleging the football player told him "f*** you" and then "charged at me ... at full speed with closed fist."

The officer claimed McDowell struck him so hard and so many times, he suffered injuries in the altercation -- including a badly swollen eye.

Cops say they were eventually able to take down McDowell using a taser. He was ultimately booked into jail on charges of aggravated battery on an officer, resisting and exposing sex organs in public.

The Browns released a statement on the arrest on Tuesday, saying, "We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. … No further comment at this time."

Malik McDowell is in trouble with the law once again ... the NFL player was arrested on Monday after he allegedly stripped naked near a children's learning center and got into a fight with cops.

The bizarre incident is all spelled out in a police report, obtained by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

In the docs, cops claim they were called out to a scene in Deerfield Beach, FL after McDowell had allegedly taken off all of his clothes and walked naked near a children's learning center.

Cops say kids were present while McDowell was near the learning center -- adding that he got violent with police as soon as they approached him.

One officer said in documents that McDowell “charged at me ... at full speed with closed fist." The officer said a fight then ensued.

In the docs, cops claim McDowell was able to flee the scene ... but was ultimately apprehended after cops tased the 6-foot-6, 290-pound football player.

McDowell was taken into custody and later booked on charges of aggravated battery on an officer, resisting and exposing sex organs in public, jail records show.

The Browns released a statement on Tuesday following the news of the arrest, saying, "We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. … No further comment at this time."

As we've reported, McDowell -- who had a standout season for Cleveland this year, starting 14 games -- is no stranger to run-ins with the law ... he's been arrested multiple times over the past few years, including in 2019 when he fought a cop at a gas station.

McDowell served time behind bars as well as a suspension from the NFL over it all -- but said this year that he had turned a corner and was in a great place.

Baker Mayfield's wife says the hateful comments toward her husband following the Browns' loss to the Packers have turned scary ... saying the QB is now getting death threats.

Emily Mayfield said in a social media post that after the Cleveland star played poorly in Green Bay, fans have now begun to come at her and her husband with "death threats," "lies," and "blatant disrespect."

"I pray for those of you who even think those thoughts, let alone type them out," Emily said.

"I hope you can find some happiness so you stop trying to steal it from others."

Emily did not divulge if law enforcement has been notified of the threats ... but she added, "It's crazy how much negativity is amplified via social media."

Baker has been the quarterback of the Browns since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2018 ... but the criticism of his play has grown loudly this season after he's had an up-and-down year.

Holy crap, this is nuts.

The Cleveland Browns have a major COVID-19 problem on their hands -- Baker Mayfield and head coach, Kevin Stefanski, tested positive for the virus Wednesday ... just one day after 8 players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Orange and Brown -- they're fighting for a spot in the playoffs and have a crucial game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.

This is now the second time Stefanski has tested positive -- last season, he had to miss the Browns' playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While Baker and KS could return in time for Saturday if they return two positive tests, there's a lot more to worry about -- stars like Jedrick Wills, Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, Wyatt Teller and Kareem Hunt were also placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

As of right now, there is no plan to postpone the game.

WWE Superstar The Miz is not ready to give up on Baker Mayfield just yet ... telling TMZ Sports despite the QB's recent struggles, fans need to have some patience with the Browns signal-caller.

"He's injured. Like he's injured," Miz said. "He's not playing to his highest caliber because he's injured."

"I mean, how good are you when you're injured, you know what I mean?"

Miz says that anyone who wants to see the Browns move in a different direction at QB doesn't appreciate what Mayfield represents ... adding that fans need to throw their support behind the first overall draft pick.

"Everyone's so quick to get rid of quarterbacks nowadays," he added. "Like, you kind of got to stick with people and be like, 'look, this is our guy.' It's one thing, like, I remember a team that wasn't 6-6 that didn't win a game an entire season and I was still on the bandwagon."

Miz recalled the days where the Browns had less than desirable plays at the QB position -- he rooted for guys like Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Johnny Manziel -- but, after Cleveland's bye week, he's predicting things will take off for his hometown team.

"I mean after this bye we have Baltimore," the former champ said. "If we beat them, we're one game out of first place in the AFC North and people are talking a different story."

So, what are his expectations for this underwhelming season?!?

"We're going to the Super Bowl. That's on my mind. I 100% think that."

If you know anything about The Miz, the Ohio native always reps for his squad ... and he's confident that with the roster they have, they can make a Super Bowl run.

"I trust in Coach (Kevin) Stefanski. I trust in Baker Mayfield," Miz said. "I trust in Kareem Hunt, Nick Chubb. I think Myles Garrett will be Defensive Player of the Year, and you're going to the Super Bowl. So, let's win, beat Baltimore, and get it started after the bye week!"

Free Jarvis??

Fresh off Odell Beckham Jr. being "freed," Jarvis Landry is opening up on his own offensive struggles this season ... saying he has no idea why he hasn't been getting targets.

"I haven't been getting the ball so much either," Landry told reporters at his annual Thanksgiving food drive. "But at the end of the day, I've been able to do with the opportunities I'm given."

When asked why he hasn't been getting the ball, Jarvis responded, "I don't know" ... adding he doesn't know why the passing game has been struggling.

The ex-LSU star's comments come right after OBJ -- who had just 17 receptions for 232 yards for the Orange and Brown this season -- was released, which allowed him to join the Los Angeles Rams last week.

The Browns have fallen to 23rd in the league in passing yards as Baker Mayfield battles injuries ... but despite how his comments sound, Jarvis isn't trying to throw his QB under the bus.

"He’s a tough man, and he’s doing all the things necessary to make sure that he can be out there with us," Landry added.

"As playmakers, when the ball’s in the air, we’re doing our best and understanding and knowing that it’s the situation where he’s got to get healthy. But we’re still out here making plays with each other, for each other, and he always gives his best. That’s all you can ask for."

FYI -- Landry has 23 receptions for 219 yards on 34 targets this season.

Odell Beckham Jr. has said goodbye to Cleveland and is now close to saying hello to Los Angeles ... 'cause the star receiver is reportedly about to sign with the Rams.

Just a couple days after the Browns waived the wideout -- Beckham is now finalizing a deal to play with Matt Stafford and Sean McVay, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Thursday.

Of course, L.A.'s receiver room is already loaded ... Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are perhaps the best duo in the league -- and their backups, including Van Jefferson, ain't slouches either.

But, L.A. hasn't been afraid to sign and/or trade for veteran depth at any point in the last few seasons regardless of its current roster -- so the move to ink Odell makes sense.

OBJ hasn't been a surefire superstar in years -- he battled injuries and, at times, poor QB play in Cleveland -- but seems like a good bet McVay, an offensive genius, will be able to feature him in Hollywood.

As for what number OBJ will wear when he finally gets on the squad ... for the first time in his career, it could be something different than #13.

Odell Beckham Jr.'s rollercoaster ride in Cleveland is expected to finally be over this week ... 'cause the Browns are reportedly about to cut the star receiver.

The team is working with Odell on his contract in order to officially release him, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday, and a move to get him off the Browns' roster could come down in a matter of hours.

Of course, the writing has been on the wall for Odell's release for the past few days -- if not months -- as the wideout has found himself embattled in drama over and over again in Cleveland.

Just this week, Odell's father posted a lowlight reel of Baker Mayfield ... showcasing all the times the quarterback has missed an open OBJ on the field.

And, Odell's made it no secret he hasn't loved his small role in Cleveland's offense too.

Since being traded from the Giants back in 2019 ... Odell has played in just 29 games and has just 7 receiving TDs -- including none this season.

When the Browns officially jettison the wideout ... he's expected to have plenty of suitors -- receiver-needy teams like the Packers, Saints, Ravens and Patriots all could make a run at him.

By the way, it's Odell's birthday Friday ... happy 29th?

Odell Beckham ain't getting targets in games, and he certainly wasn't getting any on Wednesday ... 'cause the Browns just reportedly "excused" him from team practice, despite being ready to go.

The drama surrounding Odell has hit an all-time high this week ... with his own father ripping Baker Mayfield for consistently refusing to throw the ball to Beckham.

There have been talks OBJ could have been traded prior to Tuesday's trade deadline ... but the Browns couldn't find a deal worth their time, which might've made things a bit awkward in Berea.

The team officially ruled Odell a DNP for Wednesday's practice, citing a non-injury-related personal matter, as well as his lingering shoulder injury ... but given all the talk surrounding his status with the team, it's certainly interesting.

It's no secret, the Browns have been struggling this season -- they're currently 4-4 and dealing with a number of injuries ... and all the issues with Odell isn't making it any better.

Beckham has 17 receptions for 232 yards this season ... and ya gotta wonder how much longer the Odell experiment in Cleveland will last.

Things are getting ugly in Cleveland -- Odell Beckham Sr. is all but fed up with how his son is being used in the Browns offense ... posting an 11-minute-long video exposing Baker Mayfield for all the times he's missed a wide-open OBJ.

Of course, Beckham Jr. had a career-low in Sunday's loss against the Steelers -- only logging in one catch for 6 yards.

The performance appears to be the straw that broke the camel's back for OBS ... 'cause he went to Instagram to call out Mayfield by sharing a video titled, "Odell Beckham is Always Open for the Cleveland Browns in 2021."

In the clip, you can see the 28-year-old receiver wide open numerous times ... and Mayfield either not looking his way, throwing a bad pass or missing him completely.

Beckham Sr. shared his thoughts on the whole situation with a number of hashtags ... some saying, "#imhurtinfr #playinghurt #ihurt4him #thisreallyhurts #veryhurtful #disrespectful #whenihurthehurtikno #iloveclevelandlikeilovehome #ilovemysonMO #7-eleven #open #24/7 #ALLLOVE❤️#BEckhamLEGENDARY"

Fans voiced their opinions about this disconnect between OBJ and Mayfield on Beckham Sr.'s post -- including NBA superstar Damian Lillard, who said "this crazy."

Beckham Sr. even responded to a couple of comments ... including one fan who said, "So Eli (Manning) and Baker are the problem, not Odell? He is a talented individual but not bigger than the team."

Beckham Sr.'s reply, "Lol LIL BOY' 'the game ain't 2 be told it's 2 be SODL' DON'T PLAY WITH ME, GO PLAY WIT CHA XXXXy."

Sheesh.

But, let's be real -- OBJ and Mayfield haven't been able to put up any big numbers since his arrival in 2019. He only has 1,586 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.

That's a major decline from OBJ's Giants days -- for example, he had 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns with Eli Manning in his 2015 season alone.

It turns out Jedrick Wills can't compliment a guy without sparking a QB battle ... 'cause the Cleveland Browns left tackle is clearing the air after praising Case Keenum, saying he was NOT taking a shot at Baker Mayfield.

Wills was speaking with reporters on Monday following the Browns' 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos ... when he said he didn't feel like there was a drop-off with Keenum filling in for the injured Mayfield.

While Wills was very clearly trying to speak highly of the team taking care of business in Baker's absence, some fans tried to start drama by twisting it into a diss at Baker -- and he ain't having it.

"Bro y’all are weird 😂😂😂," Wills said Monday. "Case played a good game, not s***ing on Bake at all. Relax"

Of course, Baker's still dealing with a shoulder injury ... but Keenum stepped up for nearly 200 yards and 1 touchdown to get Cleveland back in the win column.

Cleveland Browns running back D'Ernest Johnson was in complete shock when he found out LeBron James showed him love after his breakout game Thursday night ... giving a hilarious reaction to the shout-out!!

25-year-old Johnson balled out against the Denver Broncos in his first NFL start, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown on the ground and adding 22 yards through the air.

LeBron -- a diehard Browns fan as of a few years ago -- took note of the performance and tweeted his support for DJ Thursday night ... saying, "D’ Ernest Johnson on 1 tonight!! Love to see it! #Browns"

Johnson got wind of the shoutout during his postgame presser, and he could not believe it.

"What? LeBron?! Man, that's my favorite basketball player, I ain't gonna lie to you," Johnson said. "LeBron?! LeBron?! Bro, that's big time. That's amazing, bro."

"LeBron James, I appreciate it, man. That means a lot."

Johnson's teammate, Anthony Walker, was also star struck ... saying, "That's big time right there."

BTW, Johnson's story is incredible -- he spent a year working on a fishing boat catching mahi-mahi after going undrafted out of the University of South Florida in 2018. When the Alliance of American Football debuted in 2019, he DMed every team in hopes of getting back on the field.

After spending 8 games with the AAF's Orlando Apollos, he joined the Browns in 2019 as a backup. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt out with injuries, Johnson stepped up and helped Cleveland get the much-needed win on TNF.

So, did Johnson celebrate the big win with some mahi-mahi??

"Definitely not having no mahi-mahi, probably have some salmon, but not mahi-mahi."

Scary moment on the sideline during the Browns game Thursday ... a photographer was slammed into by a Broncos star -- but somehow, he's okay.

Matt Starkey, the camera guy, was shooting some pics near the end zone during Cleveland's tilt with Denver ... when safety Justin Simmons caught a ball and accidentally plowed into him.

The Broncos player hit the guy with full force -- causing Starkey's hat to fly off, and his head to snap forward.

The collision was violent, and many people noticed the scary scene live -- with Pat McAfee even commenting on Twitter at the time, "That photog got SMOKED."

Fortunately, both Starkey and Simmons were able to pop right back up ... with the photog somehow even saving his camera from hitting the ground!!

After the game, Starkey made sure to let everyone know he was fine, saying, "All good" with a thumbs up emoji.

He also got a pic with Simmons later in the night and joked "iron sharpens iron."

Odell Beckham Jr. needs to get the hell outta Cleveland ... so says Robert Griffin III, who's calling for the Browns to trade the star receiver and stop wasting his talent.

It's no secret -- OBJ isn't nearly as productive in The Land as he was with the New York Giants ... and while he's battled injuries in his 3 seasons with the Browns, he's not getting many targets when he's healthy.

RG3 -- who spent the 2016 season with the Orange and Brown -- has seen enough of OBJ in CLE ... saying it's time to send the 28-year-old to a team that'll actually throw him the ball.

"The Browns need to trade OBJ because they don’t feature him, some games they don’t even try to throw it to him, their QBs don’t seem to be able to sync up with him on the deep ball or any other route," the former Heisman winner tweeted after the Browns' 17-14 win over the Broncos on Thursday night.

"He is wayyy to talented to be this poorly utilized. Oh and now he is hurt."

There was fear Odell further injured his shoulder sprain when trying to catch a pass in the win. He later returned to the game, but finished with 2 catches and 23 yards from backup Case Keenum.

Odell has 16 catches on 33 targets in 5 games this season ... with just a little over 200 yards and 0 touchdowns.