CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns have made adjustments to their quarterback lineup ahead of their AFC North matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the changes may not align with fans’ expectations.
Jameis Winston will be inactive as the team’s third-string emergency quarterback. Since joining the Browns in March, he has been designated as the backup but will not participate in this game.
Instead, Dorian Thompson-Robinson will serve as the backup to starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. The second-year player was the third-string quarterback for the first six games of the season.
Last season, Thompson-Robinson started three games and participated in five, finishing with a record of 1-2. He completed 53.6% of his passes, totaling 440 yards, with one touchdown, four interceptions, and six sacks. A hip injury in December cut his rookie season short, preventing him from on-field work for much of the offseason, though he returned for minicamp.
This season, Winston has played in four games, primarily in short-yardage situations, including last Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he rushed five times for three yards and completed one pass for 16 yards during a cleanup role in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.
Injuries have sidelined some of the Browns’ other players, including running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) and safety Ronnie Hickman (ankle), both ruled out on Friday. Additionally, cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, linebacker Nathanial Watson, and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson will also be inactive.
The Browns’ lineup will see the return of center Ethan Pocic, who missed last week’s game due to a knee injury, while Michael Dunn will start at right guard after stepping in for injured Nick Harris. Linebacker Jordan Hicks will also be back in action after recovering from rib, elbow, and triceps injuries sustained in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Browns’ inactive players for the game against the Bengals include:
QB Jameis Winston (3QB)
CB Kahlef Hailassie
S Ronnie Hickman
RB Jerome Ford
LB Nathaniel Watson
DT Quinton Jefferson