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Daniel Oyefusi, ESPNDec 22, 2024, 05:51 PM ET
- Daniel Oyefusi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN. Prior to ESPN, he covered the Miami Dolphins for the Miami Herald, as well as the Baltimore Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.
CINCINNATI — Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he plans to start Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback against the Miami Dolphins next Sunday, despite his two interceptions in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thompson-Robinson spent several minutes in the medical tent after D’Onta Foreman‘s goal-line fumble on Cleveland’s opening possession, but he returned for the second drive and finished the game. Thompson-Robinson said he was evaluated for a calf injury that has been bothering him, but he plans to play against the Dolphins.
The 2023 fifth-round pick made his first start of the season and fourth of his career on Sunday, but he struggled for much of the afternoon. Thompson-Robinson completed 20 of 34 passes for 157 yards and contributed to two of the Browns’ three turnovers, including a red zone interception early in the fourth quarter with Cleveland trailing 17-6.
Thompson-Robinson, who also rushed nine times for 49 yards, had zero net yards passing at halftime and was sacked five times.
“I can’t cuss, but there’s a word I want to say. It wasn’t a good day,” Thompson-Robinson said. “I know we had good moments, but good moments don’t win football games.”
Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 20 of 34 for 157 yards, was sacked five times and had two interceptions in his first start of the season vs. the Bengals. AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel
Cleveland finished the game with 273 total yards but averaged just 3.3 yards per play after running Jerome Ford‘s 66-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
“We need to do a better job in a bunch of different areas,” Stefanski said, “but bottom line, we do have to take care of the football.”
Thompson-Robinson took over for Jameis Winston, who was benched earlier in the week and then was made the emergency quarterback because of an injury to his right, throwing shoulder. Bailey Zappe, whom the Browns signed off the Kansas City Chiefs‘ practice squad in October, served as the backup Sunday.
