Report: Cleveland Browns make starting quarterback decision vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Cleveland Browns (1-6) will start Jameis Winston under center in Sunday’s Week 8 home contest against the Baltimore Ravens (5-2), per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Winston, who signed a one-year deal this past offseason to serve as the Browns’ backup, is suddenly thrust into the starting role following the season-ending Achilles injury to Deshaun Watson. Cleveland made Winston the third emergency quarterback in the Week 7 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4), with Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking over the backup job. Thompson-Robinson suffered a finger injury after coming in for Watson, and Winston took over to finish the game.
“I felt like both guys were worthy of being the backup quarterback,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday. “Told those guys that early in the season. I felt like, with not having that short yardage package with Jameis in this last game, Dorian had acquitted himself well in practice and in his preparation to make him the backup.”
Winston saw one series of action, leading the Browns on a 12-play, 60-yard scoring drive near the end of the fourth quarter. The former No. 1 overall pick completed 5-of-11 passes for 67 yards, capping off the drive with an eight-yard touchdown strike to tight end David Njoku.
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Browns rolling with Jameis Winston in Week 8 vs. Ravens
Winston, 30, last started a game in the NFL during the 2022 season with the New Orleans Saints (2-5). He spent four seasons in New Orleans, appearing in 17 games (14 starts). Prior to his time with the Saints, Winston spent five seasons as starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3). His final season in Tampa Bay was a rollercoaster, as he threw for a league-leading 5,109 yards to go along with 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
The Browns will look for Winston to provide a spark to an offense which has been futile through seven games this season. Cleveland is averaging just 253.9 yards per game, the fewest of any team in the NFL. They have outscored five teams this season and are in the basement of the NFC North.