The 2-1 Cleveland Browns are looking to get their third win of the season on Sunday but have real question marks about their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and his availability.
Watson suffered a shoulder injury in the Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans, when the Browns’ QB had a read-option run in the third quarter and was seen in discomfort after being tackled by Amani Hooker.
Watson was limited in all three practices this week and had just one throw in Friday’s practice before walking to a trainer to assumably discuss further, casting real doubt on his availability for the Week 4 matchup.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
Is Deshaun Watson Playing Week 4?
After Friday’s practice, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski described Watson’s session as “light throwing,” which would add more questions than answers when it came to his chances to see the field on Sunday.
Although Cleveland had optimism and real hope that Watson would be able to be ready this week, it looks as if Watson will not be able to go this week, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Heading into the day, it was assumed that Watson was a true game-time decision for this matchup. Now that he’s been ruled out, the Browns are expected to turn to preseason MVP and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead their offense in Week 4.
Big Divisional Matchup for the Browns
Cleveland will square off against another 2-1 AFC North team in their hated rival, the Baltimore Ravens. The winner of this game will have the upper hand in the division, which makes it unfortunate for the Browns to try and win this game without having their QB1 under center for it.
MORE: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart 2023
The NFL and injuries go hand and hand, and in this league, nobody feels bad for you. The Browns will need to change focus and do everything they can to help DTR compete and give the team their best chance of success against a good Ravens team.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson Earned This Opportunity
Nobody played better this preseason than Thompson-Robinson. His performance was so stellar it catapulted him from QB4 at the start of camp to the Browns trading quarterbacks in front of him and giving him the QB2 role as a result.
With Watson now officially out for this Week 4 divisional matchup, DTR will be looked upon to find a way to run the offense and execute well enough for Cleveland to win.