The Cleveland Browns got banged-up in their 29-12 loss to the Denver Broncos at Mile High on Sunday, as starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited the game with a concussion and wide receiver Amari Cooper suffered a rib injury. The Browns dropped to 7-4 with the loss and were surpassed by Steelers in the AFC North standings due to Pittsburgh having a better division record.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered the concussion after getting blasted by outside linebacker Baron Browning on a deep throw on third-and-12 near the end of the third quarter. Browning was called for roughing the passer on the play and the Browns were granted a first down. The Fox broadcast showed Thompson-Robinson with a bloody lip before he went back to the locker room for further evaluation.
Cooper took a hard shot to the side on an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter, resulting in a rib injury, and did not return. Additionally, Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk pointed out that Fox sideline reporter Laura Okmin said that All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett had been favoring his left wrist, even using his right hand to congratulate teammates on the sideline with a high five.
Two plays later, Elijah Moore fumbled as he tried to reverse to Pierre Strong, and Broncos defensive lineman D.J. Jones recovered the loose ball at the Browns’ 20-yard line. Russell Wilson capitalized off the turnover with an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman to increase Denver’s lead to 24-12.
P.J. Walker replaced Thompson-Robinson, completing 6 of 13 passes for 56 yards. Veteran Joe Flacco was signed to the practice squad earlier this week and was not elevated to the 53-man roster. Thompson-Robinson completed 14 of 29 passes (48.3%) for 134 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 73.1. So even if Thompson-Robinson is cleared to play, the Browns might want to go with the 38-year-old Flacco for next Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
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