Kevin Stefanski won't name starting quarterback for Cleveland Browns against Jaguars
BEREA — Kevin Stefanski doesn't have to name a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. So the Browns coach won't do it, at least on Friday.
Stefanski refused to say who will start between Joe Flacco or Dorian Thompson-Robinson for Sunday's return to the lakefront. He indicated it would be a decision made at game time.
Asked why Stefanski wasn't naming a starter on Friday, he answered, "You don't have to. That's the best way to put it."
Stefanski did say whoever wasn't the starter would be the backup. Thompson-Robinson cleared the concussion protocol after having returned to practice this week.
Flacco seemed to get the most work with the receivers and tight ends during the "routes on air" drills during the portions of practice open to the media all three days. Thompson-Robinson, meanwhile, was often working along with P.J. Walker with practice-squad members.
"Both guys practiced this week," Stefanski said. "Both guys practiced well, I got faith in both guys. But not going to name a starter."
Both teams' quarterback decisions are expected to come down to game day. Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence's status also expected to be such a decision, although his is due to injury.
Lawrence was listed as questionable by the Jaguars on Friday as he recovered from a high ankle injury suffered in Monday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He did practice Thursday and Friday, which would appear to put him on track to start Sunday.
“He’s feeling good, we’ll see," Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told Jacksonville-area reporters Friday. "He moved around a little bit yesterday, see how he does today. Kind of base it on medical staff, how Trevor feels, and if he can go or not.”
Backup C.J. Beathard, who came on for the final 5:27 of regulation and all of overtime in place of Lawrence against the Bengals, would be the starter if Lawrence is ruled out. Beathard has appeared in two games this season, including Monday's.
Lawrence has not missed a game in his career since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft. Already this season, he played four days after suffering a knee injury in a Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
“Just go get 'em," All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett said of the approach to either Jacksonville quarterback. "Apply the same amount of pressure, come with the same kind of effort and tenacity and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”
The Browns' quarterback decision became one because of the emergence of a player from injury. Thompson-Robinson was cleared from the concussion protocol he had been in since being knocked out of a 29-12 loss at the Denver Broncos on Nov. 26.
That injury was what opened the door for Flacco, who was signed to the practice squad Nov. 20, to start last Sunday's 36-19 loss at the Los Angeles Rams. Despite less than two weeks with the organization, he completed 23 of 44 passes for 253 yards with two touchdowns and an interceptions.
"I mean, for the most part with me clearing protocol pretty much the whole way through, every day they would ramp me up as the days went on, started in individual throwing and kind of worked my way up to getting back to full practice and everything," Thompson-Robinson said Friday. "I feel great. Felt like I did before I got the concussion. Like I said, just ready to go."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kevin Stefanski won't name starting QB for Browns against Jaguars
