'That's what I'm fighting for': Dorian Thompson-Robinson relishes preseason opportunity

CLEVELAND — Dorian Thompson-Robinson's rookie season could certainly fall under the category of "uncertain." It would be completely understandable if the second-year Browns quarterback considered it "frustrating."

There was the unceremonious first start against the Baltimore Ravens because of Deshaun Watson's initial rotator cuff sprain. There was the two-game November run as the starter, which featured a game-winning drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers and a game-ending concussion against the Denver Broncos .

Finally, there was the season-ending hip injury on Christmas Eve against the Houston Texans, an injury that, if not taken care of correctly, could have ended his career.

That was then, however. This is now for Thompson-Robinson, who returned to game action for the first time since that hip injury in Saturday's 23-10 loss in the preseason opener to the Green Bay Packers .

Thompson-Robinson was 14-of-18 passing for 134 yards in two quarters of action. He led the Browns to their lone touchdown drive, a 13-play, 66-yard march that ended with Aidan Robbins' 1-yard run with 5:08 remaining.

“That’s what I’m fighting for — continual reps and getting out there and getting acclimated again," Thompson-Robinson said in the postgame locker room. "Haven’t played football since last Christmas Eve, so just to be able to get back out there with the guys was fun.”

Part of the fun was getting to go in the way-back machine at least once to his days as one of the nation's top dual-threat college quarterbacks while at UCLA. The Bruins offenses Thompson-Robinson played in under then-coach Chip Kelly relied heavily on the run-pass option game.

The new offense the Browns utilize this season with offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey being added to the staff has added a helping of RPOs to the playbook. They broke it out a couple of time during the course of Saturday's game, including one play on which Thompson-Robinson kept the ball on fourth-and-1, hurdling a Packers defender on his way to gaining the first down.

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"Yeah, just a reminder of college, my college days," Thompson-Robinson said. "I would joke with my teammates all the time there that I try and get at least one a game. Obviously in the NFL, we're not trying to do that as much, but it was fun though. Just like I said, just going back out there playing football again, something I love to do. So if the opportunity presents itself, I'll be glad to take it for sure."

What Thompson-Robinson did on Saturday afternoon really was an extension of what he's done throughout training camp. The focus with the Browns quarterbacks has, rightfully, been on Watson's return from shoulder surgery, which has overshadowed some of what the 2023 fifth-round pick has done.

Thompson-Robinson has been in a battle with former Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Watson and backup Jameis Winston. Winston started and played one series Saturday, while Huntley took over for Winston and played out the first half.

Huntley, who has 10 career regular-season or playoff starts with Baltimore, was 6-of-9 passing for 41 yards over three first-half drives, none of which scored points. He did have two drives that reached Green Bay territory, including one that included a 15-yard fourth-down conversion pass to David Bell negated by an offensive pass interference call.

The two are likely to see something similar in terms of playing time, although they could flip which half they actually play, during next Saturday's second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. The Browns will also have joint practices with the Vikings on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thompson-Robinson is aware that he's in a competition with Huntley. It's hasn't consumed him, however, especially in moments like Saturday.

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"In my eyes, I'm just going out there everyday working as hard as I can, taking the opportunity that's given to me," Thompson-Robinson said. "Whether I played a whole half or I played two plays, I think I was going to come in here with the same mindset and just keep having my head down and helping those guys around me, for sure."

The 24-year-old Thompson-Robinson remains the youngster of the Browns quarterback room. The old man in the room isn't Watson, who was held out of Saturday's game by coach Kevin Stefanski, but Winston.

It has been Winston, the 30-year-old former No. 1 overall pick, who has been like a Sherpa in the quarterback room. He's tried to provide a level of guidance, something he believes merely complements what already exists within the players, specifically Thompson-Robinson.

"I see the superstar in him every day at practice," Winston said after Saturday's game. "Him and Tyler, they have that superstar complex. So for them both to go out there and compete to the best of their abilities was impressive to me.

"But, like I shared with Dorian, I'm just happy that he finished the game on a positive note leading the team. I think one of the most impressive plays was him eluding a guy on third-and-1, throwing that ball away and coming back on fourth-and-1. Outside of the touchdown drive, that is a great quarterback play and him being a great leader."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'That's what I'm fighting for': Dorian Thompson-Robinson relishes preseason opportunity