If Kevin Stefanski knows who will start at quarterback for the Browns against the Jaguars — of course he knows — he isn’t saying.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson missed the game with the Rams on Dec. 3 because of a concussion. DTR was cleared for practice Dec. 6, but he is still working his way through concussion protocol, Stefanski said before practice.
Joe Flacco was signed to the Browns practice squad on Nov. 20 in response to Deshaun Watson suffering a fractured right shoulder in the first half of the game with the Ravens in Baltimore on 12.
Kevin Stefanski won’t name his starting quarterback for the game with Jacksonville on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium, but Joe Flacco (15) was a busy man at #Browns practice Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/2DpRO7IjEK
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) December 6, 2023
Thirteen days after getting off his living room couch to become part of the practice squad, Flacco started against the Rams and ran the offense as though he had been with the Browns since the start of the offseason program in April. The Browns lost, 36-19, but Flacco completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
“We’ll make that decision at the appropriate time, but I want to see how this week goes,” Stefanski said. “Dorian obviously hasn’t cleared just yet, but he’s going to practice, so I want to see how it looks.”
The Jaguars are dealing with a different quarterback mystery. Trevor Lawrence suffered a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of Jacksonville’s “Monday Night Football” contest with the Bengals. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson has not ruled out Lawrence for the Dec. 10 game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. C.J. Bethard, a six-year veteran with a 2-10 record as a starter, took over after Lawrence was injured and will start against the Browns if Lawrence doesn’t play.
Lawrence did not practice Dec. 6. He was not in a walking boot when he was interviewed by the Jacksonville media at his weekly Wednesday news conference.
“He’s a great player,” Stefanski said. “He makes every throw, athletic, I have a ton of respect for him. He’s played hurt before, so we’ll see how this week goes and whether or not he makes it.
“But he’s a great player and there’s tape on both guys with Beathard, so we know what his strengths are. He led the team the other night and put them in position. So he’s a very heady football player.”
Flacco reverted to the practice squad after starting against the Rams. In case you are wondering, there is no risk of the Jaguars or another team plucking him off the practice squad because each week a team can protect up to four practice squad players from being signed by another team. Flacco could be elevated from the practice squad two more times before the Browns would have to sign him to the 53-man roster if they want to make him part of the team.
Flacco is in his 17th season. It would be simple for Stefanski to say Flacco is the starter for the rest of the year as long as he stays healthy, but Stefanski isn’t ready for that.
“For us, we really have to, as you’ve seen throughout this season, you really have to focus on the week you’re in, and that’s really what we’re going to do,” Stefanski said. “We talked every week, It’s ‘How do you win this game?’ That’s what you’re focused on.”
Flacco impressed his new teammates with poise and leadership last week. He made one critical mistake when he threw an interception on a deep pass in the fourth quarter when the Browns trailed by only a point, 20-19. The Rams ended up scoring two touchdowns and a safety in the final four minutes.
“This is a guy who’s done it at the highest level in the NFL,” linebacker Anthony Walker said. “Seeing him do it on Sunday was just another walk in the park for him. Obviously, I know he wants a couple plays back. We all do. But I thought he played really well. He brings that calming presence to the huddle and I think the guys really believe in him.”
Flacco has passed for 42,574 career yards with the Ravens, Broncos, Jets and Browns. He was voted MVP of Super Bowl XLVII when he completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Ravens past the 49ers, 34-31, on Feb. 3, 2013.
Ward practices
Cornerback Denzel Ward practiced Dec. 6 after missing the prior two games with a shoulder injury…Running back Kareem Hunt (groin), wide receiver Amari Cooper (ribs, concussion) and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (calf) did not practice.
Guard Joel Bitonio, tight end David Njoku, defensive end Myles Garrett were rested.
JAGUARS AT BROWNS
When: 1 p.m., Dec. 10
Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium
Records: Jaguars 8-4, Browns 7-5
TV: WOIO; Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850
