Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will make his first career start on Sunday at Baltimore after Deshaun Watson was ruled inactive due to a sore right shoulder.
Watson was questionable all week and hoped to get the green light after a pregame workout, leaving head coach Kevin Stefanski to delay the decision on his starting quarterback until gameday.
Also on Sunday, tight end David Njoku was active despite sustaining burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident.
Multiple media outlets reported the burns were caused after Njoku attempted to light a fire pit in his backyard. He was added to the injury report as questionable after the accident.
Largely an observer at Friday’s practice, Watson still claimed he would be ready to lead the Browns (2-1) against the Ravens (2-1).
Thompson-Robinson took more than 90 percent of the first-team reps on Thursday and Friday. He said he would be ready if his number is called.
“I’m ready for it. Very confident in my preparation for it the week,” Thompson-Robinson said.
Watson has four touchdown passes, two interceptions and two fumbles lost in three games this season.
Thompson-Robinson completed 63.8 percent of his passes (37 of 58) with two touchdown passes and had 69 rushing yards in the preseason.
The Browns drafted Thompson-Robinson with the 140th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He was a five-year starter at UCLA.
Njoku, 27, has 10 catches for 92 yards in three games this season.
In 82 career games (53 starts), he has 216 receptions for 2,474 yards and 19 touchdowns since being selected by the Browns with the 29th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
In addition to Watson, the Browns ruled out the following players: cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, safety Ronnie Hickman, center Luke Wypler, defensive end Isaiah McGuire, defensive tackle Siaki Ika and tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden.
As for the Ravens, they listed wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman, safety Marcus Williams, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, tackle Ronnie Stanley and linebacker Odafe Oweh as inactive. Quarterback Josh Johnson was listed as the third quarterback.
–Field Level Media
