Browns' Deshaun Watson out vs. Ravens; rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson gets first start
There will be a rookie quarterback under center for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as Deshaun Watson will be out against the Baltimore Ravens, according to multiple reports.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson will get the start against the AFC North division rival, the team announced.
Watson is coming off what was arguably his best game since he joined Cleveland last season, as he torched the Tennessee Titans defense in a dominant win in Week 3. But during the game, Watson took a hit to his neck area. Trainers came onto the field to attend to what appeared to be an injured Watson, but he shook the trainers away and remained in the game.
The sixth-year quarterback was a limited participant in practice all week with a shoulder injury, and attempted to go through a workout Sunday morning to see if he could play, but was ultimately ruled out, according to the Akron Beacon Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
What to know about Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Getting the start for Cleveland will be a fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Thompson-Robinson broke several school career records during his time at UCLA, including total offense (12,536) completions (860), total touchdowns (116), touchdown passes (88) and passing yards (10,710).
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Thompson-Robinson began training camp competing to be the third-string quarterback, but emerged as one of the brightest rookies during the preseason, starting with a standout performance in the Hall of Fame game. He eventually earned the No. 2 spot on the depth chart for the Browns, and Sunday will mark his first NFL start.
The Browns also added fourth-year quarterback P.J. Walker to the active roster on Saturday from the practice squad.
David Njoku update
The Browns announced starting tight end David Njoku is active for Sunday's game. Njoku was added to the team's injury report Saturday after he sustained burn injuries to his face and arm in a household accident. Njoku indicated on social media Saturday he intended to play, saying, "The flesh is weak. See u tomorrow #DawgPound"
On Sunday, Njoku showed up to the stadium in a face mask.