Deshaun Watson has missed several games this season due to injury but seems to be trending positively ahead of the Cleveland Browns‘ matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Here’s the latest on Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
Deshaun Watson Injury Update
Watson has been dealing with a right shoulder injury described as a strained rotator cuff that has mostly sidelined him since suffering it in Week 3. He returned to practice on Oct. 19 and appeared poised to start the Week 6 game against the San Francisco 49ers but did not play after not feeling right in pregame warmups.
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Watson then returned to start in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts before he exited in the first quarter favoring the same arm and was sidelined for the remainder of the game. He did not play during last week’s 24-20 loss to the Seahawks.
The veteran quarterback now seems to be trending in a positive direction ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
Watson participated in Wednesday’s practice and did not appear to be restricted, according to Browns beat reporter Zac Jackson. Jackson added that Watson went through “what looked to be a normal early-practice throwing routine” and “waved off backups for extra throws” a couple of times.
Watson did not speak with reporters before practice, but Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Watson remains the team’s top option at quarterback and that he is not making a decision today on Sunday’s quarterback, according to Browns beat reporter Scott Petrak.
Petrak also posited that Watson was throwing “as well as I’ve seen since injury” during Wednesday’s practice.
#Browns Deshaun Watson throwing today. It’s only practice but threw as well as I’ve seen since injury. pic.twitter.com/0SOAqnCW84
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) November 1, 2023
Cleveland’s Other Options Behind Watson
If Watson is able to go, it appears likely that he would step into the starting role rather than backup quarterback PJ Walker.
Walker started in place of Watson in Weeks 5 and 7 and stepped in for Watson when he went down injured early in the Week 6 contest. Walker has completed 48 of his 97 pass attempts for 618 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions in his three appearances this season.
Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson has also made three appearances for Cleveland this year, including one start in its Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He has completed 20 of 37 pass attempts for 130 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions so far this fall.
Either could be an option for the Browns if Watson is ultimately unable to go again this week, though Walker appears the likely first choice behind Watson.
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