Cleveland Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed that several current starters from his team are unlikely to participate in the NFL Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium this Sunday.
Stefanski mentioned on Wednesday that the Browns would have Jeff Driskel, a former Bengals quarterback, as the starting quarterback in place of veteran Joe Flacco, as they prepare for their first playoff game since January 2021.
Having secured a playoff spot, the Browns are in contention. However, the Bengals were eliminated from postseason contention last weekend.
Here’s what to know about Driskel as he readies himself to confront his former team:
Driskel is poised to become the Browns’ fifth starting quarterback for this season.
He was added to the Browns’ active roster on December 30, having previously been on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad earlier in the season.
Driskel hasn’t made any pass attempts in an NFL regular-season game this season. Last season, he completed 14 of 20 attempts for 108 passing yards over seven games for the Houston Texans.
P.J. Walker is expected to serve as Driskel’s backup in Cincinnati.
Driskel made his NFL regular-season debut with the Bengals in 2018.
He started the final five games of that season, filling in for the injured starter Andy Dalton, and had a 1-4 record in those starts.
Driskel has also played regular-season games with the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, and Texans, but his highest number of completions (105 in 176 attempts for 1,003 passing yards) remains from his time with the Bengals.
Driskel’s most notable game as a Bengal, in terms of quarterback rating, was against the Browns.
In a 26-18 loss in Cleveland on December 23, 2018, Driskel completed 13 of 19 attempts for 133 passing yards, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions.
C.J. Uzomah and John Ross were the receivers for Driskel’s touchdown passes.
Among the six players who caught passes from Driskel in that game, only Joe Mixon is still with the Bengals.
Driskel was drafted in the sixth round in 2016, six picks after former Bengals QB Brandon Allen was selected.
Allen was picked 201st overall in 2016 by Jacksonville, while San Francisco drafted Driskel 207th overall.
Allen spent the last three seasons with the Bengals and currently plays for the 49ers.
