 He returned to the team for the 2001 training camp, but a knee injury sustained during camp required arthroscopic surgery forced him to spend the season on injured reserve.On December 18, 2001, he was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad for the last three weeks of the regular season.In January 2003, Thompson had rejoined the Browns and was listed as the Browns' third quarterback for the due to an injury to Couch.