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Kevin Stefanski waiting on more info on Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson's finger injury
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- Kevin Stefanski waiting on more info on Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson's finger injury
Dorian Thompson-Robinson's finger injury isn't viewed as something that would end the Browns quarterback's season. However, coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he wasn't ready to say it wouldn't keep him out of next Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens .
Thompson-Robinson has emerged as the Browns ' presumptive starting quarterback with Deshaun Watson out for the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon . However, it will all depend on a variety of factors involving the finger injury he sustained during Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals .
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"We will kind of get some more information on that today, this week," Stefanski said in a Zoom on Monday, "and we'll make some determinations this week. But still have some more information to gather, more opinions to gather on that one, so I can update you guys later in the week."
Stefanski was asked if Thompson-Robinson would require surgery on the finger. He didn't rule out the possibility, but also didn't sound like it would end his season even if it happened.
"Just need to hear from a couple other people," Stefanski said. "I feel good about him being available this season. Is it this week? Is it next week? I just need more information."
Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson heads back to the bench during the second half against the Bengals, Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland.
Jameis Winston would get the start if Thompson-Robinson can't play this week due to the finger. Stefanski did say the Browns were going to add a quarterback at some point but "not exactly sure where that goes just yet."
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Winston started the season as Watson's backup, but was demoted to the No. 3 emergency quarterback against the Bengals. He came on for the final drive of the game, leading the Browns to a touchdown by completing 5 of 11 passes for 67 yards, including an 8-yarder to tight end David Njoku for the score.
"Yeah, Jameis has done a nice job, really going all the way back to since he's gotten here, understanding how we operate, what we do," Stefanski said. "We feel really confident in Jameis as well."
Stefanski said the decision to switch their roles for the Bengals game centered on the lack of a short-yardage package in their game plan. Winston had handled that over the first six games, with varying degrees of success.
Watson did one successful quarterback sneak on third-and-1 with 5:25 remaining in the second quarter. It was the only one he attempted in the game.
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Thompson-Robinson came on with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter after Watson suffered the Achilles tear. His first play was a throw to wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the end zone that drew a pass interference penalty against Cincinnati's D.J. Turner II.
The Browns finished that drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Nick Chubb on fourth-and-goal. It was the only time they scored on the six-plus drives Thompson-Robinson was the quarterback.
Thompson-Robinson finished the game 11-of-24 passing for 82 yards with two interceptions and a 19.8 passer rating. He was sacked one time and led the Browns with 44 yards on three rushing attempts.
"Dorian's a competitor," wide receiver Cedric Tillman said Monday. "We all know I've been playing with Dorian for a long time. How I took last game was it was his first game really out there. So we'll all continue to get better."
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Thompson-Robinson appeared in eight games last season as a rookie after the Browns selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of UCLA. He started three of those games in place of Watson, including his first start on short notice in Week 4 last season against the Ravens.
As a rookie, Thompson-Robinson completed 56.3% of his passes for 441 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. He led them to a last-season game-winning field goal in his second start last year, Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers , before he was knocked out of his third start the following week in a loss at the Denver Broncos .
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: Kevin Stefanski waiting for info on DTR's finger before making QB pick
