Browns will start Flacco against Rams
Fitzpatrick back at safety for Steelers
LOS ANGELES — Joe Flacco isn’t exactly a rahrah guy, but the veteran quarterback’s steady presence might be exactly what the Cleveland Browns need to stay in the playoff chase.
Flacco will start Sunday for the Browns, kicking off his 16th NFL season by becoming the team’s fourth starting quarterback this year.
“I don’t know if Joe’s ever been accused of being enthusiastic,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Joe’s a pro. I’ve been around pros. He’s right up there. He does his job.”
The 38-year-old Flacco signed with the Browns (7-4) two weeks ago after Deshaun Watson had season-ending shoulder surgery. Flacco is playing last week against the Los Angeles Rams because rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson remains in the concussion protocol after getting hurt in last week’s loss at Denver.
If Flacco plays well this week, he’ll likely remain Cleveland’s starter for the rest of the season.
It’s a twist for the Browns as Flacco spent 11 seasons beating them while he played for AFC North rival Baltimore. Flacco went 17-3 against Cleveland with the Ravens, and he beat the Browns last season when he threw four touchdown passes and rallied the New York Jets to a 31-30 win.
Flacco took all the reps with Cleveland’s starting offense during practice last week at UCLA, and he impressed coaches and teammates despite a long layoff.
“He looks good,” wide receiver Amari Cooper said. “He throws a very pretty ball. I don’t know if it’s intentional or what, but when he drops back and he lets it go, the whole motion is like poetry in motion.”
BROWNS: The NFL suspended Cleveland wide receiver Michael Woods on Friday for the final six games this season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Woods, a sixth-round pick in 2021 from Oklahoma, has been sidelined all season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He got hurt while working out in Texas with quarterback Deshaun Watson during the offseason and underwent surgery in April.
The league did not provide any other details about why Woods was suspended.
The 23-year-old played in 10 games for the Browns last season, finishing with five catches for 45 yards. He also contributed on special teams.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said Friday he will play this weekend against Arizona after being sidelined for more than a month.
Sunday’s game against the visiting Cardinals would be Fitzpatrick’s action since suffering a hamstring injury against Jacksonville on Oct. 29. He said the lengthy recovery process can be “annoying” but required him to be patient in building back to full speed.
CHARGERS: Keenan Allen has been listed as questionable for Los Angeles’ game at New England on Sunday.
Allen has an NFL-leading 97 receptions and is second in receiving yards with 1,117. Coach Brandon Staley said Friday he was optimistic the 11th-year wide receiver will be able to play after he was a limited participant during practice.
PACKERS: Green Bay running back Aaron Jones will miss a second straight game Sunday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Lambeau Field.
Jones hurt his left knee late in the second quarter of a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 19.
The 28-year-old Jones has rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns on 66 carries in seven games for the Packers (5-6) this season. He also has 19 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown.