Jameis Winston starts against the Ravens; Ken Dorsey will call the Browns’ plays

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Jameis Winston will start at quarterback Sunday when the injury-plagued Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens.

Winston took over the starting role after Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson suffered injuries in Cleveland’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced the quarterback change Wednesday, adding that Thompson-Robinson does not require surgery and will practice this week.

“I look at this as an opportunity to go out there and do my best,” Winston said. “And if I do my best, I’ll be a great NFL starter.”

Stefanski told reporters earlier this week that he would not decide on a starting quarterback until he received a medical update on Thompson-Robinson, who injured a finger on his throwing hand after replacing Watson against Cincinnati.

Winston under center won’t be the only big change for Cleveland on Sunday, as Stefanski also announced that offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey will be taking over play-calling duties. It’s the first time Stefanski hasn’t called plays for the Browns since being named head coach in 2020.

“I’m always looking at what we can do to get a little better,” Stefanski said. “And the truth is we need to get better on offense. Coach Dorsey is someone I rely on a lot and I just feel like it’s the right thing to do.”

Dorsey, who was given the title of offensive coordinator for the Bills before the 2022 season, played for Buffalo before being fired after 10 games last season.

The big changes come as Cleveland (1-6) deals with the loss of Watson to a torn Achilles tendon – the second straight year the quarterback has suffered a season-ending injury. The Browns didn’t score 20 points in any of their seven games to start the season, their longest such losing streak in 15 years.

The Browns signed quarterback Bailey Zappe from the Chiefs’ practice squad on Tuesday. He would back up Winston against Baltimore if Thompson-Robinson was inactive.

Winston, a 10-year veteran, gives Cleveland a more experienced option for Sunday’s game against the Ravens than Thompson-Robinson, a second-year player. Winston has started 80 NFL games since being selected No. 1 overall by the Buccaneers in the 2015 draft. The former Heisman Trophy winner said Sunday that he is “prepared for whatever role” the Browns have in store for him.

“That’s been the story of my career over the last few years,” Winston said after the loss to the Bengals. “I am ready and prepared for whatever role I will play. I am here to serve.”

Winston replaced Thompson-Robinson on Cleveland’s final series Sunday and orchestrated a 12-play drive that was punctuated by his touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku.

Sunday’s game will be Winston’s first start since Sept. 25, 2022, when he was a member of the Saints. Winston will be the 38th quarterback to start for the Browns since 2000, the most in the NFL.