The Cleveland Browns saw starting quarterback Deshaun Watson get carted off the field, and then backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson left against the Cincinnati Bengals due to injury. With Jameis Winston in the game, here’s what we know.
What Happened to Dorian Thompson-Robinson?
Late in the fourth quarter, Thompson-Robinson exited the game with a finger injury. It’s not exactly clear how and when he injured it, however. When Thompson-Robinson left the game, he was 11 for 24, throwing for 82 yards, averaging 3.4 yards per reception with two interceptions. He added 44 yards on the ground on three carries.
Winston, serving as the emergency quarterback, took over under center with the Browns trailing 21-6. While we know Watson will be out for the remainder of the season, it’s unclear who will take over under center moving forward and what that means for the skill players on the team, especially as it relates to fantasy football.
Should Winston assume the starting role, every Browns pass catcher emerges as an interesting DFS option in Week 8 against the pass funnel Ravens. Cedric Tillman saw his role grow in Week 7, while David Njoku was heavily featured. Jerry Jeudy remains the pseudo-WR1 on this offense following the trade of Amari Cooper, though I think it’s safe to say that the targets could go anywhere with a change under center.
Winston is an aggressive QB willing to push the envelope, giving a player like the 6’3″ Tillman plenty of appeal. Starting any Brown besides Njoku is a tough ask in Week 8 with no teams on a bye, but if you want DFS exposure, there are plenty of ways to get exposure to one of the highest variance QBs in recent memory.
What Happened to Deshaun Watson?
Watson went down after suffering a non-contact leg injury with 1:26 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday’s game.
He was in clear pain as Cleveland’s other players surrounded him on the field. Watson was eventually carted off the field. He had a towel around his head and was in tears as he exited for the locker room.
Watson is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles, which would end his 2024 season, according to NFL Network.
The Browns officially ruled Watson out with an Achilles injury at the start of the third quarter.
Deshaun Watson suffers what appears to be an achilles injury on this play.pic.twitter.com/c55Fd32hn1
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 20, 2024
While Winston had served as Watson’s backup through the first six weeks of the season, the Browns promoted Thompson-Robinson to QB2 ahead of Week 7. He entered the game on Sunday after Watson went down.
Cleveland selected Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He started three games during his rookie campaign, going 1-2 while completing 53.6% of his passes for 440 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions.
Winston, whom the Browns inked to a fully guaranteed $4 million deal in March, is inactive in Week 7. However, he could enter the game as an emergency quarterback if DTR suffers an injury.
Cleveland had continued to stick with Watson as its starting QB despite his atrocious play officially reaching historic levels. Since 2000, no quarterback averaged fewer yards per attempt (5.1) or posted less EPA per dropback (-0.26) over the first six weeks of a season than Watson in 2024.