BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco practiced Friday for the Cleveland Browns, who are still dealing with their evolving quarterback situation, told the Associated Press person familiar with the visit.
Flacco, 38, could be an option for the Browns, who were without Deshaun Watson for the season earlier this week after suffering a fractured right shoulder, an injury he overcame in a return against the Baltimore Ravens (8). :3) had drawn).
Flacco will be the only quarterback working out at the team’s facility Friday, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the club never publicly discloses players’ workouts.
Flacco was named Super Bowl MVP in 2013 after leading Baltimore to a 34-31 victory over San Francisco. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns.
The 6-foot-6 QB totaled 42,320 yards as a starter in 180 career NFL starts and posted a 99-81 record. He played 11 seasons with the Ravens, three with the Jets and one in Denver.
Flacco had some of his best success against the Browns, going 18-3 with 31 touchdown passes. He wasn’t on any roster in 2023 but kept the possibility of returning open, and Cleveland has a pressing need.
Watson’s injury threatened to derail a promising season for the Browns (6-3). But Watson won’t return until 2024, and the Browns need help now.
With Watson out, the Browns will start rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) with P.J. Walker as his backup.
Thompson-Robinson threw three interceptions in his only game as a starter against the Ravens on Oct. 1.
Earlier this week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the team will add a third QB, but did not indicate whether it will be for the active roster or the practice squad.
The Browns are ready to dominate the Steelers’ offense in Week 11
Much of the conversation this week with the Cleveland Browns has focused on Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury.
But the fact is, Cleveland has a game in hand when it welcomes Pittsburgh to town Sunday afternoon in a matchup of one of football’s best defenses against a struggling offense.
Pittsburgh’s offense averages 283 yards per game.
For context, there are two quarterbacks in the NFL, C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa, who average more passing yards per game than the entire Steelers offense per game.
Somehow, despite playing to 6-3 in every game they’ve played, Pittsburgh finds itself in exactly the same position as the Browns, where a win keeps them on track for first place in the competition.
AFC North. 5. November 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, United States; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns StadiumMandatory Credit:
On offense, it starts with Kenny Pickett, whom the Browns will have to put under constant pressure throughout the game.
Pickett enters Sunday ranked 25th in passer rating and 28th in adjusted quarterback rating, behind Mac Jones and Daniel Jones.
Running back duo Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren give the Steelers just over 100 yards per game and they seem to be gaining momentum with their running game as of late.
While Warren has had a big change of pace, Harris has been more consistent in recent weeks.
Over the last two games, he has totaled 141 yards on 32 attempts, which equates to about 4.4 yards per carry. Harris’ 461 receiving yards rank 23rd in the league and a yard ahead of Dolphins running back De’Von Achane, who has played five fewer games due to injury.
Their passing attack is different than it was in Week 2. Diontae Johnson was back on the team and scored his first touchdowns since 2021 two weeks ago in a 90-yard performance against the Titans.
He’s dealing with a thumb injury this week, but he was in full training Thursday. It is therefore likely that he will be in good shape again this weekend in Cleveland.
Across from Johnson is standout sophomore George Pickens. Pickens is having a very productive season so far.
He is on pace to top 1,000 yards and has three games with 100+ yards receiving this year. He broke out against the Browns in Week 2, where he threw four receptions for 127 yards, with one long run for a 71-yard touchdown.
Pickens has been good against the Browns in his young career and Cleveland will have to account for that. Cleveland will also have to consider Pat Freiermuth, who returns this week from a hamstring injury.
Although Pickett has struggled all season, having Freiermuth back would be a nice boost for the Steelers offense.
Even without Watson, the Browns should be able to be competitive in this game and possibly get a win that moves them into second place in the division.
It all starts with Cleveland’s defense limiting an already struggling Steelers offense once the ball is kicked.
