The Browns begin their preparation for the final home game of the season when they host the Dolphins in Week 17. In order to do so, they spent Monday reviewing the film from their 24-6 loss over the Bengals in Week 16.
"Watching the tape, feel very similar to how we felt after the game," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We put ourselves in a hole early and struggled to dig ourselves out of that. But you have to look at the things that we did early in that ball game to put ourselves behind, and those are the things that we're addressing today."
Here are the top pieces of news and notes heading into Week 17.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson to start Week 17 if healthy
Stefanski reiterated on Monday that if QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson is healthy, he will start Week 17 against the Dolphins.
Thompson-Robinson sustained a calf injury on the first offensive drive in Week 16 but played the remainder of the game. Stefanski said they will have more information as the week progresses on his status.
"He played through it the whole time, so give the kid credit for that because that happened on the first couple of plays," Stefanski said. "But like any injury, you just have to be careful and make sure you treat it. But of course, hopeful."
If Thompson-Robinson is unable to play, Stefanski said they are working through who would serve as the backup quarterback between Jameis Winston and Bailey Zappe.
Winston is dealing with a shoulder injury, and Stefanski said they want to see how he comes through the week. Zappe served as the backup quarterback in Week 16 as Winston was the emergency quarterback.
"We have confidence in all of our guys," Stefanski said. "I think Bailey has done a nice job since he's gotten here picking up the system. I think he had the system down after about a day. Very intelligent. And then there are some similarities to what he was doing when he was in New England this summer. So, really understands what we have to do and has done a nice job in practice. But we'll see where this week takes us."
Thompson-Robinson started his first game of the 2024 regular season in Week 16. He finished the game completing 20 of 34 passing attempts for 157 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked five times for a loss of 32 yards.
While the Browns finished with zero net passing yards in the first half, they improved in the second half, and the Browns finished the game with 125 net passing yards. Stefanski highlighted how Thompson-Robinson was able to use his feet to gain first downs, as well as spread the ball around to different pass catchers when there were opportunities. The Browns finished the game with 18 first downs.
Stefanski believes that Thompson-Robinson continues to improve in his second year with his reps and expects to continue to see growth.
"Obviously when you have a young quarterback out there for the first time this season as a starter, you're learning about him with every rep," Stefanski said. "You're learning about him with every rep at practice as well. We'll take all those learnings and apply them as we move forward."
Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 16 NFL game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) and Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) and Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) and Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Injury Updates
Stefanski said that TE David Njoku came out of Week 16 with a knee injury and is having an MRI done to check out the injury. Stefanski said he would have more information on Njoku's status for Week 17 as the week continues. Njoku had returned after missing one game with a hamstring injury in Week 16.
"Obviously, very proud of him for pushing through that hamstring injury," Stefanski said. "I think it says a lot about Dave and his ability to do that."
WR Cedric Tillman is still working through the concussion protocol. He was downgraded to out before Week 16, missing his fourth consecutive game with the concussion. Stefanski did not rule Tillman out for Week 17, but said he would have more updates as the week progresses.
