Cleveland, OH

Browns will start Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB in Week 16 vs. Bengals

Published

1 year ago

December 18, 2024

Browns will start Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB in Week 16 vs. Bengals

The Cleveland Browns will start Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback in the team’s Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The move comes after quarterback Jameis Winston and the Browns offense struggled in the team’s 21-7 Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Winston threw three interceptions and was replaced by Thompson-Robinson late in the game.

Winston has started seven games for the Browns this season, posting a 2-5 record in those contests. He’s completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year. Thompson-Robinson has appeared in four games this season and completed 15 of 34 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions.

The Browns informed Thompson-Robinson Tuesday ahead of standard quarterback meetings that they will make him the starter.

He said he wanted to keep conversations with his coaches and teammates private, but said he was excited for the opportunity.

“I’ve always been preparing like I was the starter, just trying to stay ready,” Thompson-Robinson said. “We’re looking to go down there and get a win.

“In this league, you always have to prepare as if you have a lot to learn. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from Jameis and I just need to be ready to give my best for this team.”

Later Tuesday, Thompson-Robinson hosted about 25 kids for dinner and even a few football tosses at the Cleveland Boys and Girls Club for an event sponsored by his DTR Foundation and the Greater Cleveland Foodbank.

This is the 11th time in the team’s post-1999 era that they’ve had to use at least three different starting quarterbacks. Winston was the ninth starter in coach Kevin Stefanski’s five years on the job.

The Browns went 1-2 in DTR’s three starts last year.

Why this move makes sense

It was time to make the move for this game (and the rest of the season), and the 3-11 Browns letting Thompson-Robinson finish last week’s game pretty much confirmed what was going to happen. Winston doesn’t have a contract for next year, so with the future looking bleak for the Browns but wide-open at the game’s most important position, letting Thompson-Robinson get extended game action and full practice preparation for those games makes sense. He’s unlikely to impress, but Thompson-Robinson’s rookie contract runs through 2026, so if he can show some level of competence and improvement, he’ll have a chance to stick on the roster as a backup. There’s a scenario in which he plays well and takes a big leap, but nothing we’ve seen in his two seasons indicates that’s likely to happen.

What this means for DTR

Thompson-Robinson made three starts as a rookie in 2023, and his appearance last week vs. the Chiefs was his second extended action this season. His first start came early in his rookie season when Deshaun Watson was a late injury scratch, and his first action this year came after Watson was injured in the first game that the Browns made Thompson-Robinson their primary backup and demoted Winston to the third emergency quarterback. That switch wasn’t made until the day before the game, so Thompson-Robinson played vs. the Bengals on really no practice reps. In this scenario, he gets to go through the entire practice week knowing he’ll be the starter and ideally would be the starter for the final three games. In 12 career appearances, Thompson-Robinson has one touchdown pass vs. seven interceptions. If that ratio doesn’t drastically improve, then he won’t get many more chances.

First start of season vs. Bengals

Two things are potentially working in Thompson-Robinson’s favor this weekend. The first is that the Bengals’ defense is bad; Cincinnati is 31st in points allowed (27.6 per game) and is giving up 32 points per game over its last five. The Bengals are 29th in opponent yards per game (366) and 27th in pass yards allowed per game (239.2). Fantasy football managers take note: Thompson-Robinson and Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman were high school teammates at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Tillman has missed the last three games while in concussion protocol, but Tillman participated in practice this week and could be fully cleared in time to play Sunday. The Browns return to the practice field Wednesday afternoon.

Required reading

(Photo: Frank Jansky / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)

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Cleveland, OH

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.

Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.

When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition

A gun was recovered at the scene.

The incident remains under active investigation.

Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Cleveland, OH

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.

Michael Sokolowski(WOIO)

65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.

Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.

Read Obit below

MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.

Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

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