An update on the injury status of Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, suggests that he could be sidelined for an extended period.
Deshaun Watson’s availability for upcoming games remains uncertain after he departed Sunday’s match against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter. This occurred as he made his return from a two-game absence due to a right shoulder injury.
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was tight-lipped about Watson’s condition during a press conference on Monday, offering few specifics. Watson had suffered a strained rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder on September 24th against Tennessee, which led to his absence in the subsequent games against Baltimore and San Francisco.
Stefanski refrained from addressing whether Watson underwent further medical evaluations, mentioning that they were awaiting results for a group of players. Additionally, he did not clarify whether the team would consider placing Watson on injured reserve, which would grant him a four-week healing period.
Stefanski did mention that Watson is making progress and is a determined athlete who is working diligently to recover. He continued to emphasize that Watson’s injury is being treated on a day-to-day basis, adhering to the team’s standard response, which has previously caused some ambiguity.
Watson did return to practice the previous week and started the game against the Colts, despite being listed as questionable. However, he was on the field for just 12 plays before exiting the game after taking a hit, hitting his head on the turf. Watson did pass the NFL’s concussion protocol, but Stefanski decided to keep him on the sidelines and use backup P.J. Walker, who contributed to the Browns’ 39-38 victory.
Stefanski cited the need to protect their franchise quarterback as the reason for not sending Watson back into the game. He affirmed that Watson would start in the upcoming match against Seattle, assuming he’s fit to play.
Furthermore, when questioned about the possibility of placing Watson on injured reserve, Stefanski indicated that the quarterback’s status is currently being assessed on a day-to-day basis, with the team awaiting the results of an MRI.
Despite clearing concussion protocol, Watson appeared to exhibit lingering effects from the hit he took. He was seen grabbing his right shoulder and had difficulty raising his right arm while not attempting any passes on the sideline. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the game, with the Browns trailing the Colts 14-7 at that point. Watson had completed just one of his five pass attempts for five yards and an interception before leaving the game.
P.J. Walker, who also started in place of an injured Watson in the previous week’s game against the 49ers, took over as the starting quarterback. Despite not completing his only pass attempt, Walker orchestrated back-to-back scoring drives upon entering the game, with the Browns ultimately securing the win, although his individual statistics were not particularly impressive.
Deshaun Watson injured early in #Colts game pic.twitter.com/VYUGnedWiy
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) October 22, 2023
Deshaun Watson, who had just returned to action after missing two games with a shoulder injury, found himself on the mend once again after sustaining a hit from Indianapolis defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. While it appeared that Watson bumped his head on the turf following the collision, he was cleared of a concussion soon after.
Stefanski explained that he chose to play Walker instead of Watson to protect their franchise quarterback. Watson expressed his understanding of the decision and his eagerness to compete and assist the team. Despite the coach’s decision, Stefanski maintained his confidence in Watson as the starter. The extent of Watson’s participation in practice over the week remains uncertain, but the organization did not assign him an injury designation for the Week 8 game against Seattle, confirming his role as the starter.
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