Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Wednesday, October 23, 2:08 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is set to undergo surgery on Friday with Packers team physician Dr. Robert Anderson to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon, according to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot. Watson suffered the season-ending injury in the Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and is facing a ninth-month recovery timeline. The former first-round pick by the Houston Texans did not flash in his first two seasons with Cleveland, and his 2024 season was off to a disastrous start. He completed 64.3% of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions as Cleveland got out to a 1-6 record. Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston is expected to be the starter moving forward, and Watson's future with the Browns is uncertain.

Wednesday, October 23, 1:30 PM

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said the team will see how quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) progresses from the finger injury he suffered in the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but he will practice on Wednesday. Stefanski would like to see how DTR throws in practice this week before the team makes a decision on who will back up Jameis Winston in Week 8 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. The good news is that DTR's injury won't require surgery. If Thompson-Robinson is inactive on Sunday, Bailey Zappe would serve as Winston's backup with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the year. Thompson-Robinson won't start in Week 8, but he could be an option to start in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers if Watson struggles against Baltimore.