2024-10-21 12:55:04
CLEVELAND — The Browns (1-5) made a change at quarterback before the game against the Bengals (2-4).
Not the one many fans had hoped.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson was elevated to No. 2 behind starter Deshaun Watson for the matchup today at Huntington Bank Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Jameis Winston was dropped to the emergency No. 3 role.
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Thompson-Robinson hasn’t played this season. He was a fifth-round pick in 2023 and went 1-2 as the starter as a rookie, throwing one touchdown and four interceptions.
Winston has taken a few snaps in short-yardage situations and finished the lopsided loss to the Commanders. His only snap last week in the 20-16 loss to the Eagles was a third-and-1 on which he handed to receiver Cedric Tillman on a jet sweep that lost 5 yards. Dustin Hopkins missed a 52-yard field goal on the next play.
Coach Kevin Stefanski took responsibility for the third-down play call but also cited “miscommunication.”
Winston was the No. 1 pick of the 2015 draft and signed with the Browns in the offseason. They chose him over Joe Flacco as the backup for Watson.
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Center Ethan Pocic (knee) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (elbow/triceps) are active and expected to start after being listed as questionable. They didn’t play last week.
Besides Winston, the inactives are: running back Jerome Ford (hamstring), safety Ronnie Hickman (ankle), defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, rookie linebacker Nathaniel Watson and cornerback Kahlef Hailassie.
Running back Nick Chubb is expected to start in his return from major knee reconstruction. He was on the field more than two hours before the game stretching.
Safety Juan Thornhill is also expected to start. He was activated from injured reserve Saturday after missing five games with a calf injury.
