The latest Cleveland Browns news and notes from around the NFL in the Saturday Dawg Chow.
The Cleveland Browns will embark on yet another new era of offensive football on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
Jameis Winston is taking over as the starting quarterback in the wake of yet another season-ending injury for Deshaun Watson. Winson famously threw for more than 5,100 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the last year he was a full-time starter. Both of those numbers would be franchise records for the Browns, who have only had one quarterback – Brian Sipe in 1980 – surpass even 4,000 yards and hit 30 touchdowns in a single season.
Of course, some of those stats came in garbage time, which the Buccaneers often found themselves in that season thanks in large part to Winston’s 30 interceptions and five lost fumbles.
So buckle up, Browns fans, because the Winston roller coaster is leaving the station on Sunday at 1 p.m. and no one knows how the ride is going to go.
To help everyone prepare for the game, here is today’s edition of the Saturday Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature:
- Browns, Ravens final injury report: Zay Flowers, Marlon Humphrey updates (Jared Mueller) – What many thought could be the first battle for the top of the AFC North has become a footnote in the Cleveland Browns 2024 season and a game the Baltimore Ravens could be overlooking. Health is a concern for the Browns as four players, including two starters, were ruled out Friday afternoon. OL Wyatt Teller, designated for return from IR, was reported as questionable at that time as well.
- Browns vs. Ravens: Week 8 Need to Know (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns are home again on Sunday as they host the Baltimore Ravens. The game will mark the debut of quarterback Jameis Winston as Cleveland’s starting quarterback in the wake of Deshaun Watson’s latest season-ending injury. It will also be, for reasons that remain unclear, the first regular-season game that offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey will call the plays for the Browns.
- Browns Grant Delpit hilariously explains how to prepare to tackle Ravens Derrick Henry (Barry Shuck) – Thank you Jerry Jones. Thank you very much for not signing free agent running back Derrick Henry this past off-season when it was clear you needed running back help. Now that Henry has left the Tennessee Titans to become a roster member of the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns get to see the talented back not once every four years, but twice a season as both clubs are members of the same division.
- RB Coach Duce Staley on Nick Chubb’s return to the field (Matt Wilson) – The Cleveland Browns may have lost their game last week, but they got a “win” for the organization and community by getting Nick Chubb back on the field.
- Browns stadium drama rolling along (Thomas Moore) – The Cleveland Browns made what appeared to be the definitive statement last week about their future home. Of course, nothing is ever that simple, as other interested parties continue to comment on the matter.
Cleveland Browns:
- Browns’ Myles Garrett on the approaching trade deadline: ‘I’ll be playing here’ (cleveland.com) – Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett revealed he has nothing to worry about with the trade deadline approaching on November 5.
- Dawand Jones could get start at left tackle vs. Ravens in place of injured Jedrick Wills Jr. (Browns Zone) – Dawand Jones could be in line to make his first NFL start at left tackle Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field.
- Deshaun Watson underwent successful surgery for Achilles injury (clevelandbrowns.com) – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent successful surgery to repair his Achilles injury which he sustained in Week 7 against the Bengals. Watson was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 22 and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson says finger’s feeling fine, will be Browns backup QB vs. Ravens (Beacon Journal) – Dorian Thompson-Robinson had a smile on his face as he stood in the Browns locker room on Friday. He also, more importantly, didn’t have a wrap or splint on his right middle finger.
NFL:
- Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa took long road back from concussion (ESPN) – For the first time in 42 days, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stepped to the podium at the team’s training facility on Monday. He had held the door open for a communications staffer, as he always does, before taking his familiar position in front of a group of media members.
- Jets say Haason Reddick concern from Eagles days isn‘t an issue: ‘He did not show that at all’ (nj.com) – New York Jets Eedge rusher Haason Reddick is finally set to make his debut Sunday against the New England Patriots after finally returning from a holdout that lasted the first seven games of the season.
- Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw to undergo season-ending surgery on injured knee (NFL.com) – Christian Darrisaw’s 2024 season is finished. The standout Minnesota Vikings left tackle suffered a knee injury that will require season-ending surgery, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The team officially placed him on injured reserve on Friday.