Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland rookie QB gets nod in Week 4 against Ravens

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/1/23

Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will get his first career start after Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

With Deshaun Watson not being healthy enough to play today, the Browns rookie fifth-round pick QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson now is expected to start vs. the Ravens.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2023

The setback for Watson comes after he had his best game as Cleveland quarterback. In Week 3 against the Titans, he was 27-of-33 for 289 yards and two touchdowns.

Thompson-Robinson shined in the preseason, going 37-of-58 (63.8 percent) for 440 yards and two touchdowns. He added five carries for 69 yards.

DTR TO CED @DoriansTweets | @Ctillman04 pic.twitter.com/MGS4WUskc1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 17, 2023

Cleveland drafted him in the fifth round (140th overall) in April's NFL Draft after he played at UCLA from 2018-22. He appeared in 49 games and finished his college career 860-of-1,359 (63.3 percent) for 10,710 yards, 116 total touchdowns and 36 interceptions.

He holds the program record for most passing yards and touchdowns (88).

Thompson-Robinson won the backup role with his strong preseason. On Aug. 24, Cleveland traded quarterback Joshua Dobbs to the Cardinals for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

He would have been a safer option while Thompson-Robinson has more upside.

Dobbs has performed admirably in relief of injured Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray this season. Through three games, he's 59-of-82 (72 percent) for 549 yards, three total touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Browns rookie is in a difficult spot against the Ravens. Baltimore is 11th in total defense (292.3 yards allowed per game) and should relish the opportunity of facing a rookie quarterback.

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