Keenum and Davis Mills are expected to compete for the backup job after Houston selected C.J. Stroud with the second-overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Either Keenum or Mills could be the Week 1 starter, but in the long-term, the position belongs to Stroud. Keenum was expected to help guide a young quarterback, when he signed a two-year deal during the offseason, and that role should remain the same in 2023.
Apr 28, 2023 5:48 AM EST
Keenum is expected to remain the Bills' backup quarterback Sunday against the Vikings with Josh Allen (elbow) active for the contest and slated to start, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Though Allen was listed as questionable heading into Sunday's game after he managed just one limited practice this week due to the UCL injury he sustained in the Week 9 loss to the Jets, the Bills' decision not to add a third quarterback to the active roster Saturday pointed to Allen being ready to go. While Allen avoided the inactive list, he didn't initially take part in warmups with the team before he finally got on the field to take the first 11-on-11 walk-through rep with the offense, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Allen's activity on the field accompanied with Schefter's report thus points to Keenum serving in his usual backup role, though Keenum will remain ready to go on in the event Allen incurs any in-game setbacks.
Nov 13, 2022 9:41 AM EST
Keenum could make his first start of the season in Sunday's game against the Vikings with top quarterback Josh Allen (elbow) listed as questionable but uncertain to play in the Week 10 contest, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: While tending to an injury to the UCL in his throwing elbow and related nerves, Allen sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday before returning as a limited participant Friday. The limited session might have good enough for Allen to avoid being ruled out heading into the weekend, but head coach Sean McDermott described the signal-caller's status as an "hour-to-hour situation," which suggests Allen may be trending toward a game-time call in advance of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. With Allen missing practice time due to the elbow injury, Keenum has taken most of the first-team work the past three days and could be pressed into his first extended action for the Bills. Though Keenum has made 64 career regular-season NFL starts, his lone two appearances with Buffalo have thus far come during garbage-time scenarios late in uncompetitive games.
Nov 11, 2022 12:13 PM EST
Keenum's teammate Josh Allen is reportedly being evaluated for an elbow injury to his ulnar collateral ligament as well as related nerves.
Analysis: Allen dismissed the severity of injury Sunday after the loss to the Jets saying he'd be OK, but he was clearly hurting on the team's final drive and coach Sean McDermott indicated Monday that his star QB would at least need to be further evaluated. Allen missed four games as a rookie with a UCL injury, though for all we know he could be ready to suit up in Week 10 around some limited practice time. Should the worst transpire, however, Keenum would be called to take on starting duties for a team that offers plenty of weapons in the passing game, namely his former Vikings teammate, Stefon Diggs.
Nov 7, 2022 3:24 PM EST
Keenum completed two of his five pass attempts for eight yards in Sunday's 38-3 win over the Steelers.
Analysis: Even though he played just eight snaps after starter Josh Allen was rested for the final 10 minutes of the blowout win, Keenum was still given the opportunity to air it out. Keenum showed a rapport with wideout Isaiah Hodgins -- who drew four of the targets -- but he wasn't able to generate a first down across his three drives. Thanks to a pair of resounding wins over the Titans and Bills, Keenum has already seen action in two games this season, but he's unlikely to receive extended playing time in 2022 unless Allen misses time with an injury, or if Buffalo has the luxury of resting starters Week 18 in advance of the playoffs.
Oct 10, 2022 12:12 PM EST
Keenum completed 16 of 18 passes for 192 yards with one touchdown pass and no interceptions in Saturday's preseason win over Denver, good for a 129.6 rating.
Analysis: This was a major improvement for the veteran free-agent addition, who's performance was disastrous at best in his first outing with the Bills a week prior. This should be enough to squash any talk of third-stringer Matt Barkley overtaking Keenum for the No. 2 job, but with Josh Allen being rested in the preseason finale this week, each of the backups should see plenty of playing time to prove their worth.
Aug 24, 2022 12:49 PM EST
Keenum completed 11 of 18 passes for 86 yards with no TD passes and two interceptions in Buffalo's preseason win over the Colts on Saturday.
Analysis: While those numbers are rough on their own, Keenum also lost a fumble and was sacked six times, and his 33.3 rating paled in comparison to teammate Matt Barkley's 86.1 figure. Keenum was brought in to be the main backup to Josh Allen and it's doubtful the Bills would punt on that plan after just one lousy preseason performance, but Keenum will have to at least show something better over the last two preseason games.
Aug 13, 2022 5:20 PM EST
Keenum was traded to the Bills for 2022 seventh-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: This was expected considering Keenum was due to earn $7.1 million next season. The long-time veteran has been a stable backup presence for teams over the years having played in 35 games combined for three separate franchises in the last four seasons. With stalwart franchise icon Josh Allen already set at the quarterback, expect Keenum to be one of the better backups in the league once more.
Mar 19, 2022 1:16 PM EST
The Browns are expected to trade or release Keenum during the offseason, Jeff Howe and Zac Jackson of The Athletic report.
Analysis: Severing ties to Keenum is one of several expected moves the organization will take to bolster the passing game, including new targets at wideout and tight end. Keenum, who made two starts for the Browns in 2021, is due to earn $7.1 million in 2022, and the team may want to reallocate those dollars.
Mar 5, 2022 6:03 AM EST
Keenum completed 17 of 24 passes for 176 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Browns' 21-16 win over the Bengals on Sunday. He also rushed five times for 15 yards and lost a fumble.
Analysis: Keenum once again did a serviceable job in Baker Mayfield's (shoulder) stead, connecting with Jarvis Landry and Demeteric Felton on touchdown passes of 26 and 10 yards, respectively. The veteran is under contract through next season and therefore figures to remain as a trusted veteran No. 2 option behind Mayfield or a possible offseason addition.
Jan 9, 2022 3:43 PM EST
Keenum will start Sunday's season finale against the Bengals, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: With Baker Mayfield not available for the contest as he plans to move forward with a procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, per ESPN's Jake Trotter, Keenum will draw the starting assignment this weekend. Meanwhile, Nick Mullens is back from the COVID-19 list and on track to be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Cleveland's No. 2 QB versus Cincinnati. Keenum thus represents a fantasy lineup candidate for those scrambling for a Week 18 signal-caller for any reason, as well as a reasonably-priced DFS option.
Jan 5, 2022 8:30 AM EST
Keenum is expected to start Sunday's game against the Bengals after head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that Baker Mayfield (shoulder) is scheduled to undergo surgery "as soon as possible" and won't be available for the season finale, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Though Stefanski didn't officially name a Week 18 starter, Keenum will presumptively receive the nod, considering he's served as the No. 2 signal-caller behind Mayfield all season when both have been available. Kyle Lauletta, meanwhile, is another option at the position, though he's bounced around multiple organizations since entering the league in 2018 and has only had a few weeks to get up to speed with the Cleveland playbook since being signed off Jacksonville's practice squad Dec. 17. Keenum previously filled in as a starter in place of Mayfield on a Thursday night game against the Broncos back in Week 7. The Browns leaned heavily on a D'Ernest Johnson-led ground attack in that contest, but Keenum was competent when his number was called, as he completed 21 of 33 attempts for 199 yards and a touchdown in Cleveland's 17-14 win.
Jan 4, 2022 11:38 AM EST
With news that Baker Mayfield will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left non-throwing shoulder and may not play Week 18, per Jake Trotter of ESPN.com, Keenum would be in line to start the final game of the season.
Analysis: Mayfield fought through multiple injuries which contributed to poor play, but he also struggled with accuracy and made poor decisions. It's conceivable the Browns move on from Mayfield, even though the team has plenty of talent to compete in 2022. Whether they head into next season with Keenum as the starting quarterback remains to be seen; they could entertain potential upgrades during the offseason while they remain in a competitive window.
Jan 4, 2022 6:30 AM EST
Keenum (illness) is listed active for Saturday's game against the Packers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: As is Baker Mayfield, who is slated to start the contest. In that context, Keenum, who was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, is in line to serve as Cleveland's No. 2 QB on Saturday.
Dec 25, 2021 12:14 PM EST
Keenum (illness) has cleared COVID protocols and is available for Saturday's game against Green Bay, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal and Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Analysis: Keenum was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, but was subsequently listed as questionable by the Browns as he navigated through the league's COVID protocols. His Week 16 status will be finalized upon the release of the team's inactives in advance of Saturday's 4:30 ET kickoff, but Keenum is now poised to back up Baker Mayfield versus Green Bay.
Dec 25, 2021 7:40 AM EST
Keenum (illness), who was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, will be listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Packers, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: The designation is only procedural with Keenum being one week removed from testing positive for the virus, but because he's cleared the NFL's COVID-19 return-to-play protocol, he's on track to play Saturday. With Baker Mayfield (illness) also coming off the same list Friday, he's expected to handle his usual starting role, while Keenum backs him up.
Dec 24, 2021 12:41 PM EST
Keenum (illness) was removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Analysis: As was Baker Mayfield, who figures to start Saturday's game in Green Bay. Keenum should fill his usual role as the backup, after both he and Mayfield missed last week's loss to the Raiders, allowing Nick Mullens to step in for one start.
Dec 24, 2021 12:28 PM EST
Keenum (illness) has not cleared the league's COVID-19 protocols and will be unavailable for Monday's game against the Raiders, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Keenum and No. 1 quarterback Baker Mayfield (illness) both remain on the COVID list setting the stage for Nick Mullens to helm a short-handed Browns offense. Kyle Lauletta, whom Cleveland recetly signed off Jacksonville's practice squad, will be relied upon as the No. 2 option behind Mullens. Both Keenum and Mayfield will now work to gain full clearance in time for Saturday's upcoming road matchup in Green Bay.
Dec 20, 2021 7:42 AM EST
The Browns placed Keenum (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
Analysis: News of Keenum testing positive for the virus first arrived Thursday, but the Browns didn't officially deactivate him until a day later. Because of the Browns' mounting COVID-19 concerns, the NFL officially moved the team's Week 15 game against the Raiders from its originally scheduled date Sunday. The Browns and Raiders are now scheduled to play Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, and the two-day delay coupled with the NFL's newly updated COVID-19 return-to-play protocols could give both Keenum and Baker Mayfield -- who tested positive Wednesday -- a chance to play Week 15. If neither Keenum nor Mayfield is available, the Browns will turn to Nick Mullens to serve as their starting quarterback.
Dec 17, 2021 3:51 PM EST
Keenum has tested positive for COVID-19, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, Keenum will join fellow QB Baker Mayfield (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, which currently leaves Nick Mullens as the Browns' top available signal caller as Saturday's game against the Raiders approaches.
Dec 16, 2021 2:19 PM EST
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