The Baltimore Ravens rolled the Cleveland Browns like a cheap area rug from Wal-Mart on Sunday, 28-3, in a game that never felt that close.
With quarterback Deshaun Watson missing an entire week of practice due to what the Browns called a shoulder bruise, they were forced to start rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson against the Ravens.
“DTR” as he’s known locally looked every bit the rookie making his first NFL start against a venerable defense like the Ravens. He finished with 19 completions on 36 passing attempts for 121 yards and three interceptions. The Ravens also sacked him four times.
During the game, CBS announcers revealed that an MRI showed fluid around the rotator cuff of Watson’s shoulder. Despite the longterm concerns from fans, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that team doctors cleared Watson to play against the Ravens, and the quarterback made the personal decision to sit out the game before the team’s bye.
“He knows his body. He’s played through serious pain before. Very, very serious injuries. It wasn’t a matter of pain tolerance or anything. He just did not feel like he had his full faculties,” Stefanski said, according to Pro Football Talk.
Browns fans were quick to question the decision by their franchise quarterback.
If Deshaun Watson was medically cleared and Stefanski said it WASN’T a pain tolerance issue, then… what was it?
I’m genuinely asking/confused.
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) October 2, 2023
It's called 50 mill guaranteed. He doesn't GAF. https://t.co/cHADBWGTwq
— O,H,I,O (@bronzeback12) October 2, 2023
Wild horses couldn't have dragged Baker Mayfield off the field but Deshaun Watson was literally like… nah https://t.co/vZsXeu6eM3
— Always the Jake (@JacobsFieldRBW) October 2, 2023
A couple years ago I flew all the way to Cleveland to watch a one armed Baker Mayfield get willingly shelled by the Cardinals for four straight quarters. https://t.co/1S6rsgmCvs
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) October 2, 2023
Wait… Watson sat himself???
How do you do that as a quarterback and expect your team to still back you?
Baker Mayfield was better for Cleveland than Deshaun Watson will ever be https://t.co/vfeBmENao8
— ⚡️Garrett Ferguson⚡️ (@GarrettSprints) October 2, 2023
