Joe Flacco got all of Cleveland's starting quarterback reps during the portion of Friday's practice open to the media, but Browns coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name his starter for Sunday's game against Jacksonville. Flacco had an impressive debut for Cleveland last weekend, the 38-year-old's first start in nearly one year, and is expected to play against the Jaguars (8-4). It will be either Flacco or rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who cleared concussion protocol after sitting out last Sunday's game in Los Angeles.
The Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation remains cloudy, and somewhat convoluted. Coach Kevin Stefanski declined to announce his starter for this week's game against Jacksonville on Wednesday, saying he wants to evaluate practices before choosing between Joe Flacco and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. “We’ll make that decision at the appropriate time,” Stefanski said before practice.
Joe Flacco delivered everything but a win. For more than three quarters on Sunday, the 38-year-old Flacco, who hadn't played in an NFL game in 11 months and wondered if his career was over, gave the Cleveland Browns the kind of performance they've lacked for years from their quarterbacks. Beyond competency, Flacco, the fourth QB to start for Cleveland this season and the 37th since 1999, not only gave the Browns (7-5) a legitimate chance to win but provided hope that this injury-riddled season can limp forward — possibly into the playoffs.
Joe Flacco took the first reps in practice for the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, and it could happen again for their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Flacco was the backup quarterback this week, which would put the Super Bowl 47 MVP in line to start if rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson does not clear concussion protocol. “No reason to make any decisions just yet,” Stefanski said.
The Cleveland Browns are again in quarterback limbo. With rookie starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson in concussion protocol after taking a brutal hit in Sunday's loss at Denver, the Browns may make yet another switch and put their season — and playoff hopes — in Flacco's capable hands. Cleveland signed the 2013 Super Bowl MVP last week as protection in case Thompson-Robinson either flopped or got hurt.