Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns undecided about QB heading into finale vs. Ravens

The revolving door at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns could continue Sunday, with coach Kevin Stefanski saying both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe are preparing to play against the Baltimore Ravens in the season finale.

Stefanski told reporters Tuesday that he was undecided as to who would start.

“There’s certainly a chance that I could play Bailey and Dorian in this game,” Stefanski said. “Jameis [Winston] is still working through that shoulder injury. So, I envision him being the emergency quarterback in this game. And then there’s potential to play both guys.”

The Browns (3-13) started the campaign with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, turning to Winston after Watson’s season-ending Achilles tear in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20. Winston then started seven games and Thompson-Robinson the past two, both losses.

In six appearances this season, the 25-year-old Thompson-Robinson is 59-of-115 passing (51.3 percent) for 427 yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s been sacked seven times.

Zappe, 25, was signed off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad after the Watson injury. He appeared in 14 career games with the New England Patriots over the past two seasons, going 4-4 as a starter. In his career, he is a 63.2 percent passer, throwing for 2,053 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Browns have used 39 different starting quarterbacks since 1999.

–Field Level Media

Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) laughs with teammates during warm ups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns place DT Shelby Harris (elbow) on injured reserve

The Cleveland Browns placed starting defensive tackle Shelby Harris on injured reserve on Thursday because of an elbow issue.

The Browns (3-12) host the Miami Dolphins (7-8) on Sunday before completing their season against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.

Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who started last week’s 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and aggravated his calf injury, is expected to start against the Dolphins, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said Thursday.

“As of right now, I would say Dorian’s healthy,” Dorsey said. “He’s going to be our starter for this week and we’re moving forward with that mindset.”

Thompson-Robinson, 25, was 20-of-34 passing for 157 yards and two interceptions. He replaced starter Jameis Winston (shoulder), with Bailey Zappe serving as his backup.

Cleveland selected Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is 1-3 as a starter, with career totals of 95-of-180 passing for 697 yards, one touchdown and nine interceptions in 13 games.

Harris, who was injured during the 21-7 loss to Kansas City on Dec. 15, had started 13 of 14 games he played this season and totaled 37 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

The Oakland Raiders selected Harris in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. Harris, 33, has 326 career tackles, 27.5 sacks, 51 tackles for loss, 60 quarterback hits, one interception and five forced fumbles in parts of 10 seasons with the Raiders (2014-15), Denver Broncos (2017-21), Seattle Seahawks (2022) and Browns (2023-present).

The Browns signed wide receiver and return man James Proche II from the practice squad to the active roster on Thursday, and signed defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour to the practice squad.

Proche, 28, has three receptions on three targets for 21 yards in seven games this season. He also has returned 18 punts for 163 yards for a 9.1 average. A sixth-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2020, Proche has 28 career receptions for 299 yards in 60 games (one start) for the Ravens (2020-22) and Browns (2023-present).

Dwumfour, 26, was in training camp and spent time on the Browns’ practice squad this year. He played in 12 NFL games with the Houston Texans (2021-22) and San Francisco 49ers (2022) and has 13 total tackles.

–Field Level Media

Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) takes the field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Browns name Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting QB

The Cleveland Browns made it official Wednesday, naming Dorian Thompson-Robinson their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Thompson-Robinson supplants Jameis Winston as QB1 for this week, but Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was noncommittal about the starter for the final two games.

Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick in 2023 out of UCLA, has come off the bench in four games this season, completing 15 of 34 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions.

The 25-year-old made starts in three of his eight appearances as a rookie last season, completing 53.6 percent of his passes for 440 yards, one touchdown and four picks. A concussion led to Joe Flacco taking over in Week 14.

In addition to the concussion, Thompson-Robinson dealt with shoulder and hip injuries in 2023.

Known for his mobility, Thompson-Robinson has 125 yards rushing in 20 attempts the past two seasons.

Taking over for an injured Deshaun Watson in Week 8, Winston went 2-5 as Cleveland’s starter. He has completed 61.1 percent of his passes this season for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Eight of those picks have come in the past three weeks as the Browns (3-11) went 0-3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB

Dorian Thompson-Robinson will take over at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in place of Jameis Winston, beginning with Sunday’s road game against the , Cincinnati Bengals, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick in 2023 out of UCLA, has come off the bench in four games this season, completing 15 of 34 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions.

The 25-year-old made starts in three of his eight appearances as a rookie last season, completing 53.6 percent of his passes for 440 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. A concussion led to Joe Flacco taking over in Week 14.

In addition to the concussion, Thompson-Robinson dealt with shoulder and hip injuries in 2023.

Known for his mobility, Thompson-Robinson has 125 yards rushing in 20 attempts the past two seasons.

Taking over for an injured Deshaun Watson in Week 8, Winston went 2-5 as Cleveland’s starter. He has completed 61.1 percent of his passes this season for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Eight of those picks have come in the past three weeks as the Browns went 0-3.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) runs back to the locker room after defeating the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns name Jameis Winston starting QB

The Browns named Jameis Winston the starting quarterback for Week 9 on Monday, fresh off his 334-yard effort in Cleveland’s upset of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement Monday.

Winston, 30, got the nod on Sunday over Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was coming back from a finger injury, and he made the most of it. Winston finished 27-for-41 with three touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 115.3 to rally the Browns past the Ravens, 29-24.

Winston hit Cedric Tillman with a 38-yard TD pass with 59 seconds left to end a five-game winning streak for the Ravens, who entered as a 7.5-point favorite.

The Browns signed Winston to a one-year, $4 million deal in March as insurance for starter Deshaun Watson and Thompson-Robinson. Watson is done for the season with an Achilles injury and Thompson-Robinson’s finger injury opened the door for Winston.

Winston is 35-46 for his career as a starter and has thrown for 22,521 yards and 145 TDs against 99 interceptions. He was selected No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 draft.

QB Bailey Zappe is also on the active roster.

The Browns (2-6) host the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) in Week 9.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) lies on the ground after being injured during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Report: Deshaun Watson mulling Achilles surgery options

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will soon undergo surgery on the ruptured Achilles he suffered on Sunday, and the signal caller is mulling two surgical options, Cleveland.com reported Monday.

Watson sustained the injury on a non-contact play during Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Watson is deciding between conventional surgery and the “speed bridge” procedure that New York Jets quarter Aaron Rodgers underwent last year, per the report. Rodgers was able to return about four months sooner than with the conventional surgery.

Further, primary backup QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is also awaiting MRI results on the middle finger of his throwing hand, which he injured after replacing Watson in Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. X-ray results were negative, and MRI results were forthcoming, per reports Monday morning.

On a running play late in the second quarter Sunday, Watson’s right knee buckled, causing the three-time Pro Bowl selection to fall to the ground in obvious pain. Once he was loaded into the back of the cart, Watson, with a towel over his head, was visibly emotional as he was brought back to the locker room.

Before the injury, Watson was 15-of-17 passing for 128 yards against the Bengals. Watson, 29, entered Sunday with 1,020 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games (all starts) this season.

In his third season with Cleveland after four seasons with Houston, Watson entered Sunday’s start having thrown for 17,776 yards, 123 touchdowns and 48 interceptions in 72 games (71 starts) since entering the league in 2017 as the Texans’ first-round pick (No. 12 overall).

Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick by Cleveland, took over for Watson in his first appearance in 2024. Thompson-Robinson, 24, played in eight games (three starts) last year, completing just 60 of 112 passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Report: With QBs aplenty, Browns to listen to trade offers

The Cleveland Browns have a full quarterback room and have talked with “multiple teams” about a possible trade for second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, The Athletic reported Tuesday.

Deshaun Watson is the incumbent starter with Jameis Winston his expected backup. That leaves veteran Tyler Huntley to vie with Thompson-Robinson for the No. 3 spot.

The Browns signed Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, to a one-year, $4 million deal in March. That same month, they added Huntley, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, on a one-year, $1.29 million contract.

Thompson-Robinson signed a four-year, $4.18 million pact after the Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft.

Per The Athletic, the Browns could trade to try to fill holes left by injuries elsewhere on the roster, such as along the offensive line and in the secondary.

Thompson-Robinson ended the 2023 season with a hip injury but has fully participated in summer practices.

As a rookie, Thompson-Robinson appeared in eight games (three starts) and completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Browns GM: ‘Love’ to have Joe Flacco as QB backup to Deshaun Watson

Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry is open to the idea of bringing back quarterback Joe Flacco after the veteran helped the Browns reach the playoffs, as he tries to line up a 2024 backup to Deshaun Watson.

“We’d absolutely love to have Joe back,” Andrew Berry said at a press conference Monday. “He’s a good quarterback.”

Flacco, who turned 39 on Jan. 16, was picked up as a free agent after a season-ending shoulder injury to starter Watson. Before Flacco’s arrival, P.J. Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson shared the duties at starter.

The Browns went 4-1 with Flacco in the regular season, as he threw for 300-plus yards in each of the last four games, all wins, to set a franchise record for that streak. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Cleveland, the fifth seed, fell to the host Houston Texans 45-14 in the first round of the AFC playoffs on Jan. 13, when Flacco threw for 307 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

“He played winning football for us,” Berry said. “He did a great job of coming in and really playing at a high level that allowed us to go on a run at the end of the year. They played really good football in December — even if maybe we ended a little bit with a thud against Houston in the wild-card round. Really pleased with what Joe did on the field, pleased with who he was as a teammate.”

Berry compared Flacco’s situation to the 2022 season, when Jacoby Brissett started at QB while Watson was suspended for 11 games. Brissett parlayed that solid performance into a free-agent signing with the Washington Commanders in 2023.

The general manager said availability and cost are considerations in building the roster.

“I want to bring all of our good players back, but there are constraints to that,” Berry said. “I’m really kind of both sides of the aisle. Would have no problem having Joe back.”

Bery is open to carrying three quarterbacks on the roster but Watson, with his $230 million contract, is the starter.

“Zero consideration. Zero consideration because of how both individuals are,” Berry said of making anybody but Watson the starter. “It’s not a concern internally at all.”

Thompson-Robinson, with his mobility strong arm, remains in the mix for a QB spot next season.

“In terms of the quarterback room, we’ve always valued the quarterback position,” Berry said. “I think if you look at our history over the last four offseasons, we’ve always been towards the top of the league in backup quarterback expenditures and resources. … I believe backup quarterback is a top-30 position on the roster. We do believe in carrying three.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) runs the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns place QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson on IR

The Cleveland Browns placed rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on injured reserve Tuesday and ruled out kicker Dustin Hopkins for Thursday’s game against the visiting New York Jets.

PJ Walker was signed to the active roster to replace Thompson-Robinson, who is nursing a hip injury. Walker will back up Joe Flacco on Thursday as the Browns (10-5) bid for their fourth consecutive victory.

Riley Patterson will handle the kicking responsibilities on Thursday for the Browns, who also signed Matt Haack to the practice squad as insurance with fellow punter Corey Bojorquez nursing a quad injury.

Thompson-Robinson, 24, has completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 440 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in eight games (three starts) this season. He was selected by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Walker, 28, has completed 48.6 percent of his passes for 674 yards with one touchdown and five picks in six games (two starts) this season.

Hopkins, 33, is considered week-to-week after injured his hamstring in Sunday’s win at Houston. He made 33 of 36 field-goal attempts and 24 of 26 extra-point tries in 15 games this season.

Haack, 29, has averaged 44.5 yards per punt in 98 career games with the Miami Dolphins (2017-20), Buffalo Bills (2021) and Indianapolis Colts (2022).

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throws a pass during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Flacco is Browns’ starting QB, coach announces

Quarterback Joe Flacco’s second straight strong showing for the Cleveland Browns is all that coach Kevin Stefanski needed to see before declaring Flacco the starter for the remainder of the season.

The 38-year-old Flacco, who has played only a handful of games per season since 2020 and hasn’t played a full season since 2017, threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday as the Browns edged the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27.

On Dec. 3, Flacco completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He has been intercepted once each week.

Flacco took over when Watson’s backup, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, was sidelined by concussion symptoms Nov. 26 against the Denver Broncos.

Now in his 16th season, Flacco, the MVP of the Super Bowl for the Baltimore Ravens following the 2012 season, went unsigned until the Browns came calling when Deshaun Watson was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.

“Joe’s been in big games. So (I) feel comfortable with him leading the football team,” Stefanski said in announcing his decision.

Including Sunday’s game, Flacco is 20th on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list with 42,574.

Cleveland (8-5) is in the thick of the AFC wild-card race after making the postseason just once since 2002.

After 11 seasons with the Ravens, Flacco played in eight games in 2019 for the Broncos and in 12 games over the last three years for the New York Jets. In 184 games (181 starts), Flacco has 234 touchdown passes and 148 interceptions while completing 61.5 percent of his passes.

–Field Level Media