Notable NFL names from non-playoff teams weren't spared either
QB Baker Mayfield, Cleveland
Perhaps mercifully, Mayfield's 2021-22 season will end prematurely: the Browns' embattled franchise quarterback has been dealing with a shoulder issue since September and has officially been shut down to undergo surgery as soon as possible, potentially even this week. Such a procedure will keep Mayfield out of the Browns' meaningless season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS) but could serve as the first step toward his eventual Cleveland redemption...or mark the beginning of the end of his time as the face of an NFL franchise.
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TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta
Pitts managed to make history before leaving the Falcons' penultimate game of the season against Buffalo with a hamstring injury, becoming only the second rookie tight end in NFL history (first since Mike Ditka in 1961 and first in the Super Bowl era) to earn at least 1,000 receiving yards in a debut campaign.
He came up limping shortly after and, with the Falcons removed from the postseason discussion, it's likely he won't be subjected to further efforts.
The Falcons have already opted to retain Parker Hesse from the practice squad, making it likely that he'll partake in the season finale against New Orleans on Sunday (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox).
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