The Cleveland Browns struggled heavily in their latest game without star quarterback Deshaun Watson in Week 4, losing 28-3 to the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately for Browns fans, those struggles may continue in Week 6 after a decision was made on Watson on Thursday.
Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson fell short in his NFL debut in relief of Watson against Baltimore, turning the ball over three times in the loss.
Cleveland may be stuck in a similar situation in Week 6 when the San Francisco 49ers come to town. According to Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Watson will sit out against the 49ers. One difference for Cleveland is that veteran quarterback PJ Walker is expected to start in Watson’s place instead of Thompson-Robinson.
#Browns Deshaun Watson expected to sit out a 2nd straight week — vs. the 5-0 #49ers — with his bruised shoulder; P.J. Walker to start https://t.co/Ljux6hNDnf
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 12, 2023
Fans took notice of this news and largely believe that this is a recipe for disaster against a vaunted defense like the 49ers.
This makes moving on from Baker Mayfield even worse. Baker went out there with his shoulder falling off the bone to help his team win.
Deshaun Watson is medically cleared to play & is saying no. https://t.co/DFyYAwMzGF— CJ Anderson SzN 💫 (@AyooTexanNation) October 12, 2023
Deshaun Watson will remain OUT in Week 6 as the Browns take on the 5-0 San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers opened as 5-point favorites and have moved all the way to 9-points. pic.twitter.com/1Rh0DwTHaF
— Covers (@Covers) October 12, 2023
Deshaun Watson when he was told the 49ers were on the schedule pic.twitter.com/DICvzs8rw1
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 12, 2023
Deshaun Watson when he sees the 49ers on the schedule after a bye week
pic.twitter.com/URo9KUg4ik— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) October 12, 2023
Deshaun Watson is OUT for Sundays game against the #49ers
Tough blow in what was already going to be a very difficult matchup for the #Browns pic.twitter.com/gks5XpdR5r
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) October 12, 2023
Truth be told, if Watson isn’t at 100%, tthis is the right decision, especially against a team like the 49ers that can certainly get after the quarterback.
PJ Walker is largely viewed as a reliable but unexceptional quarterback throughout his four-year NFL career. In seven career starts, Walker has thrown for at least 300 yards just once.
Oddsmakers certainly took notice of this news regarding Walker starting for Watson, and seem to have down-graded the Browns in a big way for it. The Browns came into the game as five-point underdogs, and have already climbed to a nine-point underdog.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.