CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns are mere days from having to go four deep in starting quarterbacks this season.
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Plan D – When the Browns signed Joe Flacco off his couch on November 20, he was the quarterback behind the glass only to be broken in case of emergency. With Dorian Thompson-Robinson in concussion protocol as their work week in Los Angeles begins, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is about to smash the glass. Flacco will be the No. 2 QB and take the reps in Thompson-Robinson's place Stefanski told reporters in L.A. Wednesday afternoon. Flacco will start against the Rams if needed, making him the fourth different starter this season should that occur. "No reason to make any decisions just yet," Stefanski said. "We'll see how it goes." It would be the second time in the expansion era the team will have had to go four starters deep at the position to get through a season if Flacco starts. In 2008, Cleveland used Derrick Anderson (3-6), Ken Dorsey (0-3), Brady Quinn (1-2) and Bruce Gradkowski (0-1) to get through a 4-12 campaign. "I think you guys see across the league, and this year is no different, there's a lot of backup quarterbacks that are playing," Stefanski said. "We're no different, and we have a certain standard that we play by as an offense, as a team, and it doesn't really change based on who's in there." Thompson Robinson, who did not practice Wednesday, suffered a head injury with 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Sunday's 29-12 loss in Denver when he was hit by Broncos linebacker Baron Browning, who was flagged for a personal foul on the play. Thompson-Robinson completed 14 of 29 passes for 134 yards with a touchdown before departing.
Garrett, Cooper rest – Defensive end Myles Garrett and receiver Amari Cooper were among the players to sit out Wednesday's practice. Garrett underwent tests Monday on his left shoulder. Stefanski indicated Monday there was no structural damage revealed. Stefanski expects Garrett to play Sunday. "I do," Stefanski said. "He's not going to practice today but [we'll] see how he goes through this week." Garrett is tied for second in the NFL with 13.0 sacks this season. "He's Superman," cornerback Greg Newsome II said. "We never really too worried about Myles. He'll find a way. He's a big part in our successful season, so we'll let the big fella chill and rest and hope he's out there with us on Sunday." Cooper, who leads the Browns in catches and receiving yards, saw x-rays come back negative. "Going to give him a day off today but see how he feels tomorrow," Stefanski said.
Ward watch – Cornerback Denzel Ward also did not practice as his sore shoulder continues to get time to heal. "It's always important to get him back, for sure. I mean, the best cornerback in the NFL, so who wouldn't want him out there," Newsome said. "[In] Regards to last week, we didn't play our best ball, but that's just how the NFL works. Sometimes you don't play your best game that week, and we'll play better this week. They got great receivers. Whether he plays or not, we have great corners, so we definitely want him back out there. He's a huge part to our success, but we just want him to take his time, make sure he's 100% ready to go when he's back." Ward suffered the injury November 19 against the Steelers. Ward's jersey and gloves from that game when he broke up two passes to become the first player since at least the 2000 season to break up at least 10 passes and have two interceptions in six consecutive seasons were put on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame this week.
Piling up – Injuries to key players haven't crippled the Browns yet, but as they hit the stretch run without the likes of Jack Conklin, Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson for the rest of the season combined with current injuries to defensive cornerstones Garrett and Ward, not to mention the train wreck at quarterback, how much longer can they hold it together is top of mind. "It's been a lot," left guard Joel Bitonio said. "You never know what to expect in NFL. It's such a roller coaster sometimes. But like you said, besides the COVID Year, this has been one of the more up and down injury years we've had. But coach [Stefanski] has done a good job of keeping our mind focused on the next game. It matters, but it doesn't really matter who's out there. You got to execute and find a way to win these games."
Logo talk – Stefanski arranged for former NBA player and executive as well as silhouette on the league's primary logo Jerry West speak to the team prior to Wednesday's practice. "Just to meet him and shake his hand [is an honor]," Stefanski said. "And a legend in the game, not just as a player, but as a coach, as an executive. So thrilled that he's able and gracious enough to give his time to our team and spend some time with us." Although this is Stefanski's first time meeting West, the NBA Hall of Famer has a previous relationship with Stefanski's father. The speech hit home for Newsome. "I loved it," Newsome said. "Yeah, for sure. I mean, a guy who, like they said, he's won an MVP and the team lost the thing, and just to be how great he is and how much he says he just hates losing that much, he hates losing more than he loves winning. So a guy like that, you definitely learned a lot from… He said he hates losing. He said I think he said he's 85 years old. He said he still hates losing. So that's definitely my takeaway."
Injury report – DE Myles Garrett (shoulder), WR Marquise Goodwin (concussion), RB Kareem Hunt (groin), S Juan Thornhill (calf), RG Wyatt Teller (calf), QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder), LG Joel Bitonio (rest/knee), WR Amari Cooper (rest/ribs), TE David Njoku (rest/knee); LIMITED: DT Jordan Elliott (ankle), DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (groin), LB Sione takitaki (knee), LB Anthony Walker (hamstring); FULL: Geron Christian (finger), CB Michael Ford (ribs)
