The Cleveland Browns are in a precarious position heading into their Week 13 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. They have dealt with a number of injuries this season, on both sides of the ball, but no position has been hit harder than quarterback.
The Browns had their starter, Deshaun Watson, under center for only parts of six games as he dealt with a shoulder injury that eventually required season-ending surgery. In his place, P.J. Walker started twice, but he has not played well this season, completing only 48.6 percent of his passes with one touchdown and five interceptions.
Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson has also had his chance to start recently. After a disastrous first career start against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, he was thrust back into the role in Week 11 following the announcement of Watson being lost for the season.
He has looked better in the last two appearances, but he suffered an injury of his own in Week 12 against the Denver Broncos. Thompson-Robinson has since been placed in concussion protocol and looks unlikely to suit up this weekend in what would have been a homecoming for him.
NFL News & Rumors: Joe Flacco, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, P.J. Walker, Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns Updates
The Browns could turn back to Walker as their starter, but all signs are pointing toward them making another change. Joe Flacco, who was signed to their practice squad last week, looks set to be their starting quarterback against the Rams.
Should that be the direction head coach Kevin Stefanski heads in, the Browns will be doing something that hasn’t been done since 1988. They would become the first team, since that year’s Cleveland Browns, to have a winning record through the first 12 games of the season despite starting four different quarterbacks.
Flacco would be the fourth for this year’s version of the team. In 1988, it was Bernie Kosar, Mike Pagel, Don Stock and Gary Danielson who got shots to start for the team. Even if the Browns lose on Sunday, they will have a record of 7-5 on the season.
That goes to show how well the rest of the roster has been playing this season. Cleveland has been able to stick in the playoff race in the AFC despite not having consistent production at quarterback, the most important position on the field.
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