The Browns will stick with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB for their Week 12 matchup against the Broncos
Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start at quarterback again when the Cleveland Browns visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday, according to Brown’s head coach Kevin Stepanski announced this on Monday.
The 24-year-old Thompson-Robinson went 24-for-43 with 165 yards and one interception in Cleveland’s 13-10 Week 11 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The win, which came days after it was announced that Deshaun Watson would miss the rest of the season with a broken shoulder, improved the Browns’ record to 7-3.
Four of Thompson-Robinson’s 24 completions came on the final drive, which set up Dustin Hopkins’ game-winning 34-yard field goal.
“Those are big moments when you’re waiting for your man to come through. He came through,” Stefanski said after defeating Thompson-Robinson. “It wasn’t always perfect. But he persevered when it mattered most.”
Following the Watson injury news, the Browns worked on it and later signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to work alongside PJ Walker in the team’s quarterback room. Thompson-Robinson learned he would start against the Steelers last Tuesday night, his 24th birthday, so he had plenty of time to prepare for his second career NFL start and not wonder if the team would turn to the 38th instead -year-old Flacco would turn.
“They believed in me, they trusted me, I trusted my teammates” Thompson-Robinson said of the Browns organization. “The most important thing I told myself the whole game was to just stay disciplined and take it one play at a time. … I worked hard and I’m just glad my teammates were with me.”
Flacco takes on a “supporting role”
Flacco last started an NFL game in Week 18 of last season with the New York Jets and has played in just five games during the 2022 season, with one start since September 25, 2022.
Walker, who has started two games for the Browns this season, is available if Thompson-Robinson struggles. Flacco’s job, Stefanski said, is to mentor the two younger quarterbacks on the roster.
“Joe’s job is to support this team,” Stefanski said. “We were able to bring in a guy with a lot of experience.” He’ll be great for that [quarterback] Room; He’s going to be great for this team.”
The Browns have won five of their last six games and are one win behind the first-place Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
