The Browns announced Monday that QB Deshaun Watson, who left in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Bengals with an injury, would miss the remainder of the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
"Obviously, we're disappointed when we lose anybody to injuries," head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday. "That's a very, very, very unfortunate part of our game. So, it's tough. So, we feel bad for Deshaun and, in this case, feel bad to lose him for the season."
Following Watson's injury, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson stepped in for a majority of the game before injuring a finger on his throwing hand. Emergency quarterback Jameis Winston stepped in for the remainder of the game.
Here are the top news and notes from Stefanski's time with the media on Monday.
Update on Thompson-Robinson's injury
Stefanski said that the team would get more information Monday regarding Thompson-Robinson's injury before making determinations for his status for Wednesday's practice and moving forward. He added that he felt good about Thompson-Robinson's availability for the remainder of the season but needed more information regarding this week's game against the Ravens.
Sunday was the first time Thompson-Robinson entered a game this season as the backup quarterback rather than the emergency quarterback. Winston had previously served in a short yardage package throughout the season's first six games, but Stefanski said that the team had not installed a package including Winston for their game against the Bengals.
"I felt like both guys were worthy of being the backup quarterback," Stefanski said on Monday. "I told those guys that early in the season. I felt like, with not having that short yardage package with Jameis in this last game, Dorian had acquitted himself well in practice and in his preparation to make him the backup."
In roughly two-and-a-half quarters of play, Thompson-Robinson completed 11 of 24 passing attempts for 82 yards and threw two interceptions. After the game, he recalled his first NFL start, which came in Week 4 against the Ravens in the 2023 season.
"Kind of gave me flashbacks of being back at the Ravens game last year and a feeling I don't want," Thompson-Robinson said. "A feeling that has a bad taste in my mouth and something that I need to look myself in the mirror and make sure I'm coming out prepared next week."
Against the Ravens, Thompson-Robinson threw three interceptions in the Browns' 28-3 loss. In his second start, six weeks later, Thompson-Robinson led the Browns to a 13-10 win over the Steelers, delivering on the Browns' final drive to set up a game-winning field goal.
"Dorian is a competitor," said WR Cedric Tillman, who played with Thompson-Robinson in high school. "We all know I've been playing with Dorian for a long time. So, how I took the last game was, it was his first game really out there. We'll all continue to get better."
Check out photos of the Browns against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) and Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offense during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) and Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) and Cornerback Tony Brown II (38) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Lorenzo Thompson (69) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The team during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on October 20, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cleaning up penalties remains a priority on offense
As the Browns move forward with a new starting quarterback for the first time this season, they will also be focused on correcting mistakes that hurt them in their loss to the Bengals.
"I've said this all year, like, we have to perform better as a group, like penalties, protections, routes, getting plays and all that stuff adds up," LG Joel Bitonio said after Sunday's game.
The Browns had eight penalties on offense on Sunday, including five pre-snap penalties. They were flagged twice for an illegal shift, meaning a player behind the center went in motion and failed to come to a complete stop for a full second before another player motioned.
LT Jedrick Wills Jr. was called for an illegal formation penalty. RG Michael Dunn was flagged for a rare offensive offsides penalty, which was called just 21 times across the league last season. RT Dawand Jones drew a flag for a false start in the fourth quarter.
Penalties have been a problem for Cleveland all season, as the Browns are the most flagged team in the NFL with 60 penalties.
"It's something that you emphasize in practice, you certainly emphasize in meetings, you emphasize during the game," Stefanski said. "Those are totally self-inflicted. It's nothing that the defense is doing. It's our guys and it's not just one position; it's multiple guys that have to understand that."
