The Cleveland Browns (1-6) were handed their fifth straight loss in Week 7 by the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4). However, the 21-14 loss was the least of their worries.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury while backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson also exited the game with a finger injury.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed when we lose anybody to injuries,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said via the team’s website. “That’s a very, very, very unfortunate part of our game. So, it’s tough. So, we feel bad for Deshaun and, in this case, feel bad to lose him for the season.”
With Thompson-Robinson’s Week 8 status up in the air, the Browns felt in was necessary to add to the room. So on Tuesday, Cleveland signed quarterback Bailey Zappe off the Chiefs practice squad.
Zappe, a fourth-round pick in 2022, joined Kansas City this offseason after spending the first two years of his NFL career with the Patriots.
From 2022-23, Zappe made eight starts over 14 appearances with New England. Over that span, he passed for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The 25-year-old has shown promise at times, but he has struggled to play consistently. That’s why the Browns are likely viewing him as veteran quarterback Jameis Winston’s backup if Thompson-Robinson can’t play.
Winston played well in relief of Thompson-Robinson on Sunday, throwing for 67 yards and a touchdown.
That has given Stefanski the confidence to roll with him, if needed.
“I felt like both guys were worthy of being the backup quarterback,” Stefanski added. “I told those guys that early in the season. I felt like, with not having that short yardage package with Jameis in this last game, Dorian had acquitted himself well in practice and in his preparation to make him the backup.”
It has been a nightmare start to the season for Cleveland, but Zappe gives the team some extra starting experience at quarterback ahead of its Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens (5-2).
