Tag: Watson

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Browns QB Deshaun Watson to start vs. Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will start Sunday’s game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, coach Kevin Stefanski announced Friday.

Watson took all the first-team reps in practice Friday as he continued to recover from a strained rotator cuff. He was listed as a limited participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday.

“He’s comfortable,” Stefanski said. “He looks good.”

Watson initially was injured on Sept. 24 and was replaced in the Oct. 12 game against the Indianapolis Colts by P.J. Walker, who has started three games and gone 2-1. That includes last week’s loss at Seattle, when an interception on third-and-short late in the game gave the Seahawks possession to drive for a game-winning score and dropped the Browns to 4-3.

Watson, 28, has thrown for 683 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions in four games this season.

Walker, 28, has completed just 49.5 percent of his passes for 618 yards with one TD and five picks in three games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw downfield during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson: Must be ‘on same page’ with Browns to face Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks better and feels better, progressing to the extent that his return from a shoulder injury could be imminent.

Watson was throwing lasers in Thursday’s practice, an apparent ramp-up in activity he said was merely “part of the protocol … part of the process” and not necessarily a signal he’s ready to go Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

“We all gotta be on the same page. I told the guys that I was ready Indianapolis week. That was my decision,” he said. “And look, I wasn’t ready. I tried to jump the gun a little bit and it didn’t go our way.”

Watson was replaced in the Oct. 12 game against the Colts by P.J. Walker, who has started three games and gone 2-1. That includes last week’s loss at Seattle, when an interception on third-and-short late in the game gave the Seahawks possession to drive for a game-winning score and dropped the Browns to 4-3.

Watson was first injured Sept. 24 and has a strained rotator cuff.

Resting Watson on Sunday, when the Browns’ defense is likely to line up against Cardinals rookie Clayton Tune in his first career start, would set Cleveland up to bring him back healthier for AFC North games that follow — at Baltimore on Nov. 12 and against the Steelers the week after.

“As you can imagine, I always just kind of keep it day-to-day,” coach Kevin Stefanski said of Watson’s progress in practice. “He’ll be out there, and we’ll see how he does.”

Walker has one touchdown, five interceptions and a 49.5 completion percentage. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the starter in a 28-3 loss to the Ravens on Oct. 1 in Cleveland, was intercepted three times and sacked four times in that game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Browns QB Deshaun Watson to return to practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was expected to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, coach Kevin Stefanski announced.

Watson, who did not participate in practice at all last week, is recovering from a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder.

“I’m not making any game-day decisions today,” Stefanski said. He later added that PJ Walker will start for the Browns (4-3) in Sunday’s game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals (1-7) if Watson is not cleared to return.

Watson attempted to return against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 22 before exiting in the first half due to injury. He then sat out this past Sunday’s game, a 24-20 setback to the Seattle Seahawks.

Watson, 28, has thrown for 683 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions in four games this season.

Walker, 28, has completed just 49.5 percent of his passes for 618 yards with one TD and five picks in three games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Deshaun Watson defends injury status, says he wants to play

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson insists injury, and not will, is preventing him from taking the field for Cleveland.

Watson said wanting to play isn’t even a question during an interview with the media Thursday in response to criticism suggesting his desire to play isn’t the same as it was before he signed a five-year guaranteed contract with the Browns.

“This is what I’ve been doing since I was 6 years old. So why wouldn’t I want to play?” Watson said. “I see the same things. I see all the narratives, this, that and the third. All this stuff is just trying to cause controversy and commotion. I’m fine. I’m happy. Not happy with the injury, but I’m in a great space mentally, I’m in a great space spiritually.

“Why wouldn’t I want to play? I don’t do this for no other reason. I see that. The whole contract situation and this stuff, that’s just for people to talk and create narratives.”

Originally injured five weeks ago, Watson attempted to return last week and quickly realized he wasn’t himself.

“I thought I was ready. I wasn’t ready,” Watson said.

Watson has been ruled out of this Sunday’s game at Seattle and said he’s working to get his shoulder back to full strength. He’s dealing with a strained right rotator cuff.

He said medical evaluation will decide when he gets back on the field.

“We just don’t know. Until the medical staff tells the coaching staff and myself feels very comfortable I can go out there and be the quarterback people saw in Tennessee, we’ve just got to take it day-by-day,” Watson said. “There’s no certain timeline on certain injuries. It might be shorter, it might be longer.”

In his stead, P.J. Walker is in line to start against the Seahawks. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Watson “didn’t look like himself” but was clearly limited despite a strong practice two days before the game.

The Browns (4-2) are trying to sort through injuries at other positions before visiting the Seahawks (4-2). Running back Jerome Ford (ankle) is unlikely to be ready for the game, pushing Kareem Hunt into the starting role.

“You got to go out there and just play, and that’s what it kind of was,” said Hunt, who re-signed with the Browns on Sept. 20 following a season-ending knee injury to starter Nick Chubb. “It’s hard to really say when or when it’s done, but I think each week I’m going to keep getting better and feeling great.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback PJ Walker (10) hands the ball off in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

PJ Walker signed to Browns’ roster, will start Week 8

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns officially signed quarterback PJ Walker to the active roster on Wednesday after exhausting his three gameday elevations from the practice squad and promptly named him the starter for this week’s game.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will rest and rehab this week. Stefanski reversed course 48 hours after saying Watson would start this week.

The move relegates rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson to third string. It also comes amid Watson’s chronic shoulder issues. Watson did not practice Wednesday and was considered day-to-day ahead of this week’s game against the host Seattle Seahawks.

Watson started last week’s game against Indianapolis but didn’t last long. He was pulled with 3:13 left in the first quarter after a hit from Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. Watson cleared concussion testing and an MRI on Monday showed no further damage to the shoulder.

Stefanski said Monday that he was protecting Watson by not putting him back in against the Colts.

“He’s our starter moving forward,” Stefanski said. “He’s our starter in Seattle. I just — it’s always going to be my decision to protect our players.”

Walker replaced Watson and was 15-of-32 passing for 178 yards and one interception against the Colts.

Watson, 28, has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 683 yards, four touchdowns and three picks in four starts this season.

The Browns could have cut Walker and hoped he cleared waivers to re-sign him back to the practice squad for a fresh new slate of three elevations.

The Browns also announced the signings of running backs Jordan Wilkins and Nate McCrary to the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Coach stands by QB Deshaun Watson as Browns’ leader

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski asserted Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson remains “the leader” of the Browns.

Watson did not return to Sunday’s 39-38 win over the Indianapolis Colts despite being cleared after a concussion check in the first quarter.

Stefanski insisted after the game that he was protecting Watson, who had missed the two previous games with a shoulder injury.

Stefanski repeated that sentiment on Monday.

“I’m always going to be protective of my players, especially at the quarterback position,” Stefanski said. “Just felt like the right thing in that moment was to hold him out of that game.”

Watson completed just 1 of 5 passes for 5 yards with an interception before leaving. He was replaced by P.J. Walker, who guided the Browns (4-2) to a victory for the second straight week.

Stefanski declared after the game that Watson would be back for Sunday’s road game against the Seattle Seahawks (4-2).

“He’s our starter moving forward,” Stefanski said. “He’s our starter in Seattle. I just — it’s always going to be my decision to protect our players.”

Watson said after the game that he accepted Stefanski’s decision to keep him on the bench.

“I want to compete. I’m a competitor,” Watson said. “I want to go out there and try to help the team as much as possible, and go out there and play and perform and compete. But the decision was best for the team and they felt that was the best, and P.J. did a great job of finishing the game.”

Walker was 15-of-32 passing for 178 yards and one interception against the Colts.

Watson, 28, has completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 683 yards, four touchdowns and three picks in four starts this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) watches from the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns optimistic QB Deshaun Watson could return this week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson could practice Wednesday and return to the lineup Sunday if he continues to heal from a bruised shoulder.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Watson is officially day-to-day but noted progress during his more than three weeks as an observer.

That stretch included a loss at Baltimore, Cleveland’s Week 5 bye week and a victory Sunday over previously unbeaten San Francisco.

Stefanski moved PJ Walker ahead of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the QB depth chart prior to the game against the 49ers.

“We’ll know more as the week progresses,” Stefanski said Monday of Watson being restored as the QB1 for this week’s road game against the Indianapolis Colts (3-3).

Walker threw two interceptions and completed 18 of 34 passes for 192 yards, getting the Browns in position for what proved to be the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter. Cleveland prevailed 19-17 thanks to a missed 49ers field goal on the ensuing possession.

Cleveland (3-2) has alternated wins and losses through five games and the victories have largely been credited to a defense that surrendered a total of 23 points in wins over the 49ers, Titans and Bengals.

Watson was sacked 12 times in the first two games. Cleveland continues to experience offensive line issues due to injuries, but Browns guard Joel Bitonio (knee) could be ready to practice Wednesday, Stefanski said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Browns QB Deshaun Watson, DE Myles Garrett not practicing Wednesday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Deshaun Watson remains out of action as the Cleveland Browns take the practice field Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s game with the San Francisco 49ers.

Watson and the Browns (2-2) are coming off their bye week, during which head coach Kevin Stefanski shuffled the depth chart to move PJ Walker ahead of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Watson is dealing with a right shoulder injury, reportedly a contusion to his rotator cuff, and reportedly could miss more than a month recovering. Injured in a Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans, he was sacked 12 times in three games.

The undefeated 49ers (5-0) have scored 30-plus points in every game this season. The Browns have allowed only 60 points this season.

If Walker starts, the former XFL standout would face off against 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator and then interim coach during Walker’s three seasons at Carolina. Walker was benched after Wilks briefly gave him a chance to start in 2022.

Cleveland lost at Baltimore, 28-3, prior to last week’s bye with rookie fifth-round pick Thompson-Robinson replacing Watson in the lineup.

The Browns were missing several other starters Wednesday including defensive end Myles Garrett (foot), guard Joel Bitonio (knee) and tight end David Njoku (face, hand), who is third on the team with 16 receptions.

Garrett leads the Browns with 5.5 sacks.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Browns’ Dorian Thompson-Robinson to start, Deshaun Watson out

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson makes his first career start on Sunday at Baltimore after Deshaun Watson was ruled out due to a sore right shoulder, per multiple reports.

Watson was questionable all week and hoped to get the green light after a pregame workout, leaving head coach Kevin Stefanski to delay the decision on his starting quarterback until gameday.

Largely an observer at Friday’s practice, Watson still claimed he would be ready to lead the Browns (2-1) against the Ravens (2-1).

Thompson-Robinson took more than 90 percent of the first-team reps on Thursday and Friday. He said he would be ready if his number is called.

“I’m ready for it. Very confident in my preparation for it the week,” Thompson-Robinson said.

Watson has four touchdown passes, two interceptions and two fumbles lost in three games this season.

Thompson-Robinson completed 63.8 percent of his passes (37 of 58) with two touchdown passes and had 69 rushing yards in the preseason.

The Browns drafted Thompson-Robinson with the 140th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He was a five-year starter at UCLA.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) escapes from Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) during the second quarter in Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023.

Deshaun Watson claims he’s ready, Browns list him as questionable

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dorian Thompson-Robinson ran the Browns’ offense most of the past two days in practice, but Deshaun Watson insists he will start when Cleveland visits the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Watson is questionable with a shoulder injury and clearly was impacted in Friday’s session during which he largely watched his rookie backup operate with the first-team offense. Watson threw only two passes during the practice before talking to trainers.

Defensive end Myles Garrett said Friday “knowing him, he’s a baller. We think he’ll play.”

Thompson-Robinson said he’ll be ready if his number is called.

“I’m ready for it. Very confident in my preparation for it the week,” Thompson-Robinson said.

Watson has four touchdown passes, two interceptions and two fumbles lost in three games this season.

–Field Level Media