Jameis Winston will be No. 3 QB against Bengals

CLEVELAND — The Browns made a change to their quarterback depth chart for Sunday’s AFC North opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s just not the one many wanted to see.

Jameis Winston will be inactive against the Bengals as the No. 3 emergency quarterback against the Bengals. Winston has been acknowledged as the backup since he signed with the Browns in March.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, instead, will be the backup for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Thompson-Robinson, the second-year pro, was the No. 3 quarterback for the Browns’ first six games.

Thompson-Robinson started three games and appeared in five others for the Browns as a rookie last season, going 1-2 in his starts. He completed 53.6% of his passes for 440 yards with one touchdown, four interceptions and six sacks.

A hip injury in December ended his season with two games to go. It also prevented him from doing on-field work through much of the offseason program, although he was back in time for minicamp.

Winston had appeared in four games this season, mostly to handle short-yardage situations such as last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. He carried it five times for three net yards while also completing his only pass attempt for 16 yards in mop-up duty in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.

Two of the Browns’ other inactive players — running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) and safety Ronnie Hickman (ankle) — were ruled out on Friday due to injuries. Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, linebacker Nathanial Watson and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson were also inactive.

Ethan Pocic, Jordan Hicks will start for Cleveland Browns after missing time

Center Ethan Pocic, as expected, will start at center for the Browns after having missed last week’s game in Philadelphia with a knee injury. Michael Dunn will start at right guard, which is where he started last week before Nick Harris’ ankle injury.

Also back in the lineup after having missed time with injury will be linebacker Jordan Hicks. Hicks had been sidelined since leaving the Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with rib, elbow and triceps injuries.

Cleveland Browns inactive players vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• QB Jameis Winston (3QB)
• CB Kahlef Hailassie
• S Ronnie Hickman
• RB Jerome Ford
• LB Nathaniel Watson
• DT Quinton Jefferson

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ