Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski wants to sleep on his decision at quarterback before making the choice for Week 14 public.
The TBD atop the depth chart was needed after rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson was able to practice on Friday, his first in two weeks since suffering a concussion at Denver last month. Veteran Joe Flacco, who started last Sunday’s game, also is in contention to start.
“Both guys practiced this week,” Stefanski said Friday. “Both guys practiced well, and I have faith in both guys, but not going to name a starter.”
The Browns host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
The Jaguars are in a similar — yet different — spot with their own starting quarterback, unnamed as of Friday afternoon. Trevor Lawrence is recovering from a high-ankle sprain suffered in Monday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was limited in practice Thursday and Friday and wants to play in the game for Jacksonville (8-4), one of three AFC South teams currently in the seven-team playoff picture in the conference.
But head coach Doug Pederson said Lawrence is “probably” a game-time decision, one that will include medical personnel and could go down to the hours before kickoff in Ohio.
Stefanski said the quarterback he doesn’t start on Sunday would be the backup, with PJ Walker acting as the No. 3.
Flacco didn’t look uncomfortable last week in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Pressed into the starting role 14 days after signing with the team as a street free agent, Flacco had the Browns driving for the go-ahead score, trailing 20-19 in the fourth quarter, when he threw an interception.
His most recent start at Cleveland came last season, when he led the New York Jets to a 31-30 victory over the Browns in Week 2.
Thompson-Robinson lost two of his three starts this season, guiding the Browns to a Week 11 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers but losing to the Baltimore Ravens and Broncos.
–Field Level Media
