DENVER – The Browns will only have two quarterbacks available Monday night against the Denver Broncos.

Cleveland waived quarterback Bailey Zappe earlier in the day to make room for defensive tackle Jowon Briggs on the active 53-man roster. That leaves only starter Jameis Winston and backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson available, meaning there is no emergency No. 3 quarterback.

It’s the second year in a row that the Browns come to Denver with just two active quarterbacks and Joe Flacco, who was signed to the practice squad just the week before, is inactive. Thompson-Robinson started in the Week 12 loss to the Broncos and was forced out in the third quarter with a concussion, forcing PJ Walker to act.

That was a bigger surprise than the Browns’ inactive list, which mostly featured injured or recently signed players. That was safety Juan Thornhill (calf). Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion), offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee) and defensive tackle Sam Kamara (head), as well as defensive end James Houston, who was released by the Detroit Lions on waivers last Wednesday.

Rodney McLeod will start in place of Thornhill. Germain Ifedi will start at left tackle for Wills.

The Browns’ other inactive players will be running back D’Onta Foreman and cornerback Chigozie Anusiem.

Inactive Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos players

#1 S Juan Thornhill

#19 WR Cedric Tillman

#27 RB D’Onta Foreman

#35 CB Chigozie Anusiem

#71 T Jedrick Wills Jr.

#92 DT Sam Kamara

#96 DE James Houston

The Cleveland Browns are expecting changes to the starting lineup

#65 Germain Ifedi starts at LT

#12 Rodney McLeod Jr. starts at S

Changes to the Cleveland Browns roster

DT Jowon Briggs, wearing number 97, was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad

#96 DE James Houston claimed via waivers

#99 DE Cameron Thomas claimed via waivers

Waived #2 QB Bailey Zappe

Waived for #92 DE Elerson Smith

#87 WR Kadarius Toney elevated from practice squad

#81 WR Michael Woods II elevated from practice squad

Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal: Browns inactive players vs. Broncos: Only 2 QBs available in Denver