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Browns QB Jameis Winston 'prepared for whatever role' after Deshaun Watson's injury
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- Browns QB Jameis Winston 'prepared for whatever role' after Deshaun Watson's injury
CLEVELAND — Jameis Winston's Sunday started with him being demoted to being the Browns ' No. 3 quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals . It ended with him throwing the team's only touchdown pass in a 21-14 loss .
"The amazing thing about being an NFL quarterback," Winston said afterward, "[is] there's only one person who can be out there. As an NFL quarterback, we have to be ready to play any role that's given to us."
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Winston played just about every role for the Browns on Sunday. He went from the "break glass in case of emergency" option when the game kicked off at 1 p.m. to celebrating a last-minute touchdown, all because of a series of events that started with starting quarterback Deshaun Watson suffering an Achilles injury with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter.
That led Winston, the Browns' original No. 2 quarterback turned No. 3 quarterback, back into the No. 2 quarterback role. Only this time, it was behind second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson .
It's something that may or may not become a more permanent role for Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick who signed with Cleveland in March to back up Watson. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was not clear about what the plan would be at quarterback for next Sunday's home game against the Baltimore Ravens , with Thompson-Robinson's finger injury and the impact it has on his throwing ability playing a rather large role in that decision.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) shakes hands with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) after a game Sunday in Cleveland.
"I'm ready and prepared for whatever role," Winston said. "That's been the story of my career the past few years, right? But I'm ready. I'm ready and prepared for every role that I am to play, because I'm here to serve. I'm a man of increase. I done told y'all ever since I stepped foot in this building what I'm about. And I'm going to continue to show that."
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That's what Winston did Sunday against Cincinnati. During the time the offense was on the bench through the first quarter-and-a-half, he could be seen hovering nearby, looking at his own tablet as the plays were being discussed with Watson.
Once Watson left because of the injury, Winston didn't just hover — he jumped in and tried to help Thompson-Robinson. When the latter returned to the bench after each series, the former would be there waiting for him.
"One play at a time, OK?" Winston said of his conversations with Thompson-Robinson. "That last play's over. One play at a time. Don't look ahead. One play at a time. You got this. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. You've been here before. Keep on playing great. Keep on balling."
Winston, it turns out, had to heed his own words. Thompson-Robinson's finger injury forced the Browns to insert the veteran for what turned out to be their final drive with 3:43 remaining.
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The 10-year pro went right to work, leading the Browns to a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Winston was 5-of-11 passing for 67 yards on the drive,and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku with 1:27 remaining, along with a two-point pass to Cedric Tillman .
"I trust them with my life, obviously, you know what I'm saying?" Njoku said of Winston and Thompson-Robinson. "In terms of where they put the ball and everything. So, yeah, high confidence."
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
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jameis Winston ready for 'whatever role' after Deshaun Watson's injury
