Browns Jameis Winston will start at quarterback in Week 8

When the Browns take the field in Week 8 against the Ravens, they will have a new quarterback leading the offense.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that Jameis Winston will be the Browns' starting quarterback in Week 8.

“He won a lot of football games. He watched a lot of football. So we have complete confidence in him,” Stefanski said.

QB Deshaun Watson was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an Achilles tendon injury that will require surgery and end his 2024 season. Second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who entered the Week 7 game after Watson's injury, also suffered a finger injury in Week 7.

Stefanski said Thompson-Robinson's finger injury is one that does not require surgery and they will monitor his progress. Thompson-Robinson is expected to practice Wednesday, and Stefanski wants to see how Thompson-Robinson throws in practice before a decision is made on who will serve as the backup quarterback.

The Browns added depth to their quarterback room following Watson's injury when they signed Bailey Zappe from the Chiefs' practice squad to the active roster on Oct. 22.

Winston had served as the backup quarterback on game day for the first six weeks of the season until he was named the emergency quarterback against the Bengals in Week 7.

Winston appeared in five games this season and completed six of 12 pass attempts for 83 yards and one touchdown. He filled in at quarterback in various packages during those five games, such as a series of quarterback sneak plays and short-yard situations to gain first downs. Winston has three first downs this season.

Since arriving in Cleveland this season, Winston has also provided a sense of leadership to the Browns.

“I think any authentic leadership is really important and he definitely leads in his own way. It's different. But I think the guys really respect him and really respect him because of the work he does,” Stefanski said. “He’s here early, I can confirm that. And he immediately has this energy.”