CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – With two games remaining the Browns will be monitoring a few injuries this week as they begin preparations to host the Dolphins Sunday.
Here’s a few Brownie Bites from Monday’s Zooms.
QB quandary – It wouldn’t be December in Berea without the Browns not being sure who will be able to start at quarterback. Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered a calf injury in Sunday’s 24-6 loss to the Bengals in Cincinnati. “He played through it the whole time, so give the kid credit for that,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “That happened on the first couple plays, but any injury, you just have to be careful and make sure that you treat it.” With Jameis Winston dropped to the No. 3 QB role due to a right shoulder injury, we might see Baily Zappe if Thompson-Robinson can’t recover in time. “I think it's probably premature to [say], we will work through that,” Stefanski said. “I say that just because I’ve got to see how Jameis comes through with his shoulder injury as well. So we have to see how all of that shakes out this week.” Thompson-Robinson had 0 net passing yards at halftime and finished with 157 yards passing and two interceptions in his first start of the season but he has one touchdown and nine interceptions in 13 games, four starts. “Young players need reps to get better,” Stefanski said. “I see a young player in his second year that's getting better with reps.”
Chief’s knee – Tight end David Njoku underwent an MRI Monday after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Bengals. Njoku returned Sunday and played through a hamstring injury that sidelined him a week ago. “He's a real fighter,” running back Jerome Ford said. “He's trying to do everything he can to get on the field. I can see him in the training room. It's frustrating for him to not be on the field and be out there and make the plays, but when he out there, like that screen you saw yesterday, he's able to make plays and be a big help for our team.” Njoku’s status this week is to be determined. “Not ruling him out,” Stefanski said. “I don't have all the information yet just yet… As you can imagine, if he can play, he will play.”
Still in protocol – Receiver Cedric Tillman remains in the concussion protocol. Tillman has missed the last four games. “[He is] still making his way through the protocol and we will be obviously patient with this and make sure he's accomplishing all the appropriate steps, but we'll see how it goes,” Stefanski said. Tillman has 29 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Pedal to the metal – Ford continues to show he can run by defenses with regularity. He had a 62-yard touchdown run against Kansas City and against the Bengals ripped off 66 yards. “I feel like it's just a testament to our offensive line and the wide receivers blocking on the edge,” Ford said. “Without them, I wouldn't make any explosive plays, so I feel like all of us coming together and being able to hit on the same page consistently and back to back weeks, I think we're starting to feel good about it.” Ford is averaging over five yards per carry and has 543 yards and three touchdowns rushing in 2024.
Someone had to say it – Myles Garrett is fed up with the quarterback carousel, lack of direction offensively and the losing, so he put the Browns organization on notice Friday. If anyone has earned the right to air publicly what he has told the organization privately, it is Garrett. “Myles speaks from the heart,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “I think he does a great job, but I can't tell you what's going on in Myles' head, right. All I know is what's in my head, and that's really all I can comment on. Myles has been a leader on this team for years and is held in the highest regard amongst his peers, not just on this team, but around the league and coming here, it's been a pleasure to get to know him and watch him firsthand. He's the type of player that you want on a team. He's the type of leader you want on a team. He's going to tell you. He's going to shoot you straight and he's going to speak from the heart.” Garrett became the youngest player to surpass 100 sacks in NFL history – or since 1982 when the league started tracking sacks. “The guy's relentless,” Hicks said. “There's play after play where he's not just defeating the chip but defeating the tackle and then getting the back on a late ship. He's bringing all attention. So to see him firsthand, like I said, has been a pleasure. And I've played a lot of football, I've seen a lot of things. What he's been able to accomplish and what he does on a weekly basis is special.”
Steady hand – As the season has circled the drain for the last two months, Stefanski remains the same coach. “He handles everything like a pro,” Ford said. “Makes sure we get our work in, he keeps us motivated, keeps us going, keeps us fighting, and I think he's done a great job from my point of view.”
