Rookie Thompson-Robinson was an interesting prospect out of UCLA because he has a live arm and quality rushing skills. But he was clearly raw and needed to improve his footwork, his processing and his calmness in the pocket. Still, Thompson-Robinson showed enough during the preseason to seemingly win the No. 2 job behind Deshaun Watson with Josh Dobbs traded to Arizona and Kellen Mond not making the initial 53-man roster. Sitting behind Watson this year should benefit Thompson-Robinson, but the long-term view is that he'll be a backup. That's why he's not only undraftable in seasonal leagues, but Dynasty formats too.
Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Remains spectator for practice
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Thompson-Robinson (concussion) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.
Earlier Thursday, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt told Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer that Thompson-Robinson underwent additional concussion testing. The rookie quarterback ultimately wasn't able to advance to limited practice participation, which would have represented a sign of progress as he navigates the five-step protocol. Thompson-Robinson could still have a chance at playing Sunday against the Rams if he's able to get back on the practice field in some capacity Friday, but at this stage, veteran Joe Flacco looks to be trending toward the Week 13 start. Flacco remains on the practice squad for now, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Flacco is now viewed as the top understudy to Thompson-Robinson, with PJ Walker dropping to third on the depth chart.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: No practice Wednesday
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Thompson-Robinson (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The Browns were forced to turn the offense back over to P.J. Walker after Thompson-Robinson suffered a concussion in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Broncos. The rookie hasn't performed much better than his veteran counterpart, but Thompson-Robinson seems more likely than not to be the starter again once he exits concussion protocol. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Joe Flacco is now Thompson-Robinson's backup, suggesting that the 38-year-old will start Sunday's game at the Rams -- rather than Walker -- in the event Thompson-Robinson isn't cleared to play.
Thompson-Robinson was diagnosed with a concussion after exiting Sunday's game in Denver, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.
Thompson-Robinson left the contest late in the third quarter after enduring a roughing the passer penalty from Broncos linebacker Baron Browning. With a concussion confirmed, Thompson-Robinson will end Week 12 with 134 yards and a touchdown on 14-for-29 passing and five carries for 21 yards. He'll yield the Browns offense to PJ Walker for the rest of Sunday's outing.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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Thompson-Robinson is expected to start again in Week 12 at Denver, and we'll see if he fares better against the Broncos than he did against the Steelers in Week 11. He was 24-of-43 passing against Pittsburgh for 165 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, and he also added 20 rushing yards on three attempts. So far, Thompson-Robinson has faced the Ravens and Steelers in two starts, and the Denver matchup isn't as favorable as it was earlier in the season. Still, he could be useful as a low-end starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, as long as he remains the starter in place of Deshaun Watson (shoulder) since Joe Flacco was signed to the practice squad Monday. Thompson-Robinson is worth adding in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for 5-10 percent of your FAB. Also, if you want to speculate on Flacco (1 percent rostered) taking the job at some point, you can add him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for 1 percent of your FAB.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Helps Cleveland to victory
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Thompson-Robinson completed 24 of 43 passes for 165 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Steelers. He added three rushes for 20 yards.
Thompson-Robinson drew his second career start and worked nearly exclusively in short areas of the field. He mostly avoided turnovers and significant mistakes and instead executed Cleveland's game plan of engaging in a struggle based on defense and field position. His stat line was ugly, but Thompson-Robinson picked the right time to connect for significant gains as he completed passes of 15 and 11 yards to set up the game-winning field goal with only five seconds remaining in the contest. The Browns will rely upon their dominant defense moving forward, though Thompson-Robinson should remain the starter so long as he proves capable of avoiding mistakes.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Could start Sunday
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The Browns could turn to Thompson-Robinson to serve as their starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers, with Deshaun Watson slated to miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski will address the media later Wednesday and could clarify whether Thompson-Robinson or PJ Walker -- who served as Watson's top backup in the Browns' Week 10 win over the Ravens -- will take over as the team's starting quarterback. Thompson-Robinson previously started the Browns' Week 4 game against the Ravens when Watson was sidelined, but he completed just 19 of 36 pass attempts for 121 yards and three interceptions in a 28-3 blowout loss. The rookie fifth-round pick had since fallen behind Walker on the depth chart.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: In line to start Sunday
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Thompson-Robinson is slated to start at quarterback in Sunday's game against the Ravens in place of the injured Deshaun Watson (shoulder) Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Per Cabot, the Browns had optimism that Watson would be able to start Sunday despite carrying a questionable tag into the weekend, but he'll end up sitting out the Week 4 contest after he was still experiencing discomfort while throwing in pregame warmups. Watson's absence paves the way for Thompson-Robinson, a rookie fifth-round pick out of UCLA, to make his first NFL start. Thompson-Robinson put his dual-threat skill set on display during the preseason, completing 37 of 58 attempts for 440 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while carrying 14 times for 69 yards over four contests. Though Watson is likely to be back in action following the Browns' Week 5 bye, Thompson-Robinson could make for an appealing cost-relief option in Week 4 DFS contests or as a lineup option in season-long leagues with a QB flex spot.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Mops up win
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Thompson-Robinson played five snaps in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans.
Thompson-Robinson saw regular-season action for the first time since being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He mopped up on the final drive, handing off five times to Pierre Strong. It would take an injury to Deshaun Watson to thrust Thompson-Robinson into a role with significant fantasy value.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: In line to back up Watson
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With Joshua Dobbs headed to the Cardinals in a trade Thursday, Thompson-Robinson is in line to serve as Deshaun Watson's top backup ahead of Week 1, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Earlier Thursday, coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Dobbs would be the team's No. 2 QB, but following the subsequent deal sending the signal-caller to Arizona, Thompson-Robinson now is in line to handle the role. Additionally, the Browns retained Kellen Mond as a depth option after initially planning to waive him.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Solid in preseason start
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Thompson-Robinson completed 13 of 25 passes for 164 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed four times for 18 yards in the Browns' 18-18 preseason tie with the Eagles on Thursday night. He also committed a fumble that he recovered.
The UCLA product was afforded the start and made good use of the opportunity, playing a turnover-free first half during which he only took one sack. Thompson-Robinson immediately led a 12-play, 75-yard drive on the Browns' first possession, only to see it culminate in a John Kelly fumble at the Eagles' three-yard line. Cleveland's next three drives ended in punts, but Thompson-Robinson was able to bounce back and lead the Browns to a pair of field goals before the end of the first half. Thompson-Robinson outperformed his competition for a roster spot, Kellen Mond, after also turning in solid performances during his first two preseason games, so the No. 3 job may be the rookie's to lose going into the team's exhibition finale against the Chiefs on the road on Saturday, Aug. 26.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Another strong showing
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Thompson-Robinson completed nine of 10 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown pass in Friday's preseason game against the Commanders. He added 11 yards on three carries.
Thompson-Robinson entered to start the third quarter and led the Browns on two lengthy drives. One possession ended in a Cade York missed field goal and the other when the quarterback delivered a well-thrown ball to David Bell for a seven-yard touchdown. The rookie has completed 17 of 21 throws for 184 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in two preseason games. Thompson-Robinson was the third quarterback in Friday's game following Deshaun Watson and Joshua Dobbs, but the depth chart could change before the regular season begins.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Will play Thursday
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Thompson-Robinson will play in the second half against the Jets on Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Thomas-Robinson, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2023 Draft, should get a long look in the Hall of Fame Game. Although Deshaun Watson is the clear No. 1 quarterback on the team's positional depth chart, there is some uncertainty in the pecking order behind him between Kellen Mond, Joshua Dobbs and Thomas-Robinson. Mond is slated to draw the start Thursday.
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Browns' Dorian Thompson-Robinson: Intriguing landing spot in Cleveland
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The Browns selected Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 140th overall.
A five-year starter at UCLA, Thompson-Robinson had plenty of experience running an NFL-style offense with Chip Kelly at the helm. The 23-year-old set career highs in passing touchdowns (27), rushing touchdowns (12) and rushing yards (646) in his final season at UCLA, but the growth as a playmaker was offset by a rise in turnovers. Thompson-Robinson makes for an intriguing backup behind Deshaun Watson, though he'll have to battle Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond for slotting on the depth chart.
