Earlier this morning, the Cleveland Browns announced that franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. The Browns announced the news on social media, saying that Watson suffered a fracture to the glenoid in his throwing shoulder. With that in mind, what’s next for the Browns?
According to Bleacher Report’s NFL insider, Jordan Schultz, the Browns are planning to start fifth-round rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback against the Steelers “barring a last-minute change of heart…”
Excluding unforeseen circumstances, the Browns are rolling with Thompson-Robinson over veteran backup quarterback P.J. Walker. All three of Watson, Walker, and Thompson-Robinson have started at least one game this season and Thompson-Robinson is the only one of the three without a win.
In Thompson-Robinson’s lone start against the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns failed to score a touchdown. He completed 19 of his 36 passes for 121 scoreless yards and three interceptions, adding four carries for 24 yards as a rusher. Thompson-Robinson was a preseason standout for the Browns but may not be ready to be the starting quarterback of a playoff-hopeful team.
Conversely, the Browns had their highest scoring output of the season when Walker started the game in Week 7, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 39-38. Walker didn’t play much better than Thompson-Robinson in that game, completing 15 of 32 passes for 178 scoreless yards and an interception, adding three carries for three rushing yards, but he was able to help the Browns sustain drives as needed.
The Browns are 6-3 and in the mix for the AFC North division title, so the show must go on. Thompson-Robinson will have the first crack at keeping the ship afloat sans Watson.
