The Cleveland Browns have had their fair share of quarterback troubles this season. In their latest twist of fate, the team will be starting their fourth different quarterback as they face off against the Los Angeles Rams. Veteran passer Joe Flacco, 38 years old, will be taking over the helm. This change comes after rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson sustained a concussion in the team’s previous loss to the Denver Broncos and remains in the concussion protocol.
The decision to start Flacco was confirmed on Friday when the Browns officially ruled out Thompson-Robinson. Flacco will be replacing Deshaun Watson, who underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery last month. PJ Walker, who has already started two games this season, will be serving as the backup quarterback for Flacco on Sunday.
The Browns will also be without Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward in their upcoming game. Ward will be missing his second consecutive game due to a shoulder injury. However, there is some good news for the team as Myles Garrett, who was dealing with a shoulder issue, will be playing.
Joe Flacco, the Super Bowl MVP during the 2012 season with the Baltimore Ravens, joined the Cleveland Browns on November 20th. This move came after Watson suffered a fracture in his throwing shoulder. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski spoke highly of Flacco, describing him as a true professional and praising his intelligence. Flacco himself expressed excitement about the opportunity to start again, especially after being an unsigned free agent during the first half of the season.
With over 42,000 passing yards and 232 touchdowns in his career, Flacco has had his fair share of success. He previously started four games for the New York Jets in 2022, with his most memorable performance coming against the Browns in Week 2 last season. In a thrilling 31-30 comeback victory, Flacco threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson with just 22 seconds left on the clock.
During practice leading up to the game, Flacco impressed several Browns players and coaches. Wide receiver Amari Cooper praised Flacco’s throwing ability and described his throwing motion as “poetry in motion.” It seems that Flacco’s experience and skillset have translated well onto the field, earning him the respect and admiration of his teammates.
The Browns’ quarterback situation this season has been far from stable. This marks the second time since 1950 that the team has started four different quarterbacks in a single season. The previous instances occurred in 2008 and 1988. However, the Browns have never had all four of their starting quarterbacks win a game in the same season. The last NFL team to achieve this feat was the 2015 Houston Texans.
This season has been a rollercoaster for the Browns, with injuries and setbacks plaguing the team. In addition to the quarterback position, the team also faced the suspension of receiver Michael Woods II. Woods, a sixth-round pick last year, was suspended for the final six games of the season due to a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Adding to the team’s challenges, Woods had been sidelined with an Achilles injury and has not been with the team all season.
The Cleveland Browns find themselves in yet another quarterback shuffle as Joe Flacco takes the reins. With the team facing adversity both on and off the field, it remains to be seen how they will fare against the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns can only hope for stability and a much-needed win as they continue to navigate through a season filled with uncertainty.
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