Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson left Sunday’s 29-12 loss to the Broncos with a concussion after taking a hard hit at the end of a pass play.
Thompson-Robinson left the game after taking a hard hit while throwing an incompletion, causing him to fall to the ground and struggle to get up. This happened just before the end of the third quarter, with Cleveland lagging behind at 17-12.
Broncos linebacker Baron Browning was called for a roughing the passer penalty. Thompson-Robinson was eventually able to walk off the field under his own power and went to the medical tent, with the broadcast appearing to show him sporting a bloody mouth. He subsequently walked to the locker room with a towel over his head and was later ruled out.
“After the game, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski reflected, “Clearly, as with all our players, we saw a mix of good and bad that we can learn from. Our quarterback took an unfortunate hit; it’s always tough to see him get hit like that. But he fought hard.”
Backup quarterback P.J. Walker entered the game in relief and was the only QB available as third-stringer Joe Flacco was not activated.
In Week 13, the Browns are set to play against the Los Angeles Rams with DTR’s status still uncertain. When questioned about the possibility of Flacco stepping in, Stefanski gave no definite answer.
“I’m not there yet,” he said, via 92.3 The Fan. “We’ll see.”
Thompson-Robinson was starting his third game for the Browns this season, having had a spot start with Deshaun Watson injured in Week 4, and then was named the starter for Week 11 after Watson was shut down for the year with a shoulder fracture that required surgery.
Thompson-Robinson had led the Browns to a touchdown drive on their last possession before leaving the game. He recorded 14-for-29 passing for 134 yards, although they missed the two-point conversion.
The rookie from UCLA has made five appearances this season, passing 58-of-109 for 429 yards. He has scored one touchdown and had four interceptions.
Walker, who has started two games and made five appearances for the Browns this year, has led two game-winning drives. However, his five interceptions were partially responsible for the Browns’ decision to replace him with Thompson-Robinson following Watson’s diagnosis. In the final quarter, Walker completed 6 out of 13 passes for 56 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.
