The Cleveland Browns are 10-5 heading into Week 17 and are still in the thick of it for just about everything they want. They are one of just three teams in the AFC that still have a statistical chance at the top seed in the playoffs.
Even with the good record, the Browns have fluctuated between quarterbacks this season. One of them, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, will not play again this season. What happened?
What Is Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s Injury?
Thompson-Robinson suffered an injury late in the Browns’ victory over the Houston Texans. He was hit as he threw and came up limping and was later diagnosed with a hip injury.
A few days later, the Browns placed Thompson-Robinson on injured reserve. He is required to spend at least four games before being able to return, meaning he would only return in the case of a deep playoff run.
Thompson Robinson played in eight games in 2023, passing for 440 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. He started three games in place of starter Deshaun Watson and had a 1-2 record.
“Rookies need to be put in a room with a guy that knows how to prepare. I think we’ve been very fortunate with Dorian; he’s in a great room, he sees how those guys prepare. So I think he’s getting better and better,” said Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Thompson-Robinson was the team’s starter before suffering a concussion in the third quarter of Week 12 vs the Denver Broncos. He was replaced by Joe Flacco, who is the Browns’ current starter.
Flacco was signed by the Browns in late November and has since started four games. In those games, he passed for 1,307 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He had most recently played with the Jets for three seasons before joining Cleveland at 38 years old.
MORE: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart
In the wake of Thompson-Robinson’s injury, the Browns signed P.J. Walker to the active roster. Walker previously filled in for Watson and competed with Thompson-Robinson for the starting spot. Walker played in six games, starting two, and passed for 674 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. His record as starting quarterback is 1-1.
“I go out there and play for myself. I go out there and play for every one of these guys in this room, in this building. That’s all that matters at the end of the day, taking care of business on Sunday and going out there and playing as a team,” said Walker earlier this season.
Thompson-Robinson was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played college at UCLA, where he was a two-time second-team All-Pac 12 QB in 2020 and 2021. He passed for 10,710 yards, 88 touchdowns, and 36 touchdowns at UCLA. He also rushed for 1,826 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The Browns will face the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football in Week 17. The Jets are 6-9 and eliminated from playoff contention. If the Browns win their last two games and the Ravens lose two and the Dolphins lose one, the Browns could be the top seed in the AFC.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!