After he was officially listed as questionable on the injury report, there appeared to be some optimism that Deshaun Watson would be able to play in the Cleveland Browns’ Week 4 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. But as it turns out, the three-time Pro Bowl selection won’t be able to go, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that Watson will sit out Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.
The 28-year-old Watson suffered the injury during the Browns’ Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans. After not participating in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he took part in Friday’s practice on a limited basis before officially being listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
“I’m hopeful,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Watson’s playing status on Friday.
While the Clemson product had expressed his own optimism that he’d be able to play against Baltimore, he ultimately proved to not be healthy enough to play. With Watson sidelined, Cleveland will turn to rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, with P.J. Walker having been elevated from the Browns’ practice squad.
Selected out of UCLA in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Thompson-Robinson enjoyed a strong preseason ahead of his rookie campaign. Appearing in four games, the 23-year-old completed 37 of his 58 pass attempts (63.8 percent) for 440 yards and two touchdowns.
Following the news of Watson’s availability, many took to social media to weigh in on the Browns’ quarterback situation.
Here was the pre-draft scouting report on #Browns rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who gets his first NFL start today against the #Ravens in place of injured Deshaun Watson. pic.twitter.com/Fczz28o0er
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 1, 2023
Make it five rookie QBs starting today, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson replacing Deshaun Watson, whose pregame workout didn't go as hoped with his sore right shoulder. https://t.co/lmsDiZw4cb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 1, 2023
So reportedly Derek Carr is playing with a sprained AC joint today while Deshaun Watson is out with a contusion? 🤔
Thoughts @ProFootballDoc?
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) October 1, 2023
Did not see Deshaun Watson being the first AFC North QB to miss time this year.
— Matt Edwards (@MattEdwards) October 1, 2023
would personally love to see DTR have an incredible game.
— final boss brittany (@BurdsIVue) October 1, 2023
Here we go!! In DTR we believe!! https://t.co/4NvYoggdIU
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) October 1, 2023
There are two scenarios at play for the #Browns today:
1) Ravens ravage DTR, especially with a weak no-Nick Chubb ground game, and even the defense can’t do enough.
2) Browns win due to DTR and it creates insufferable fanbase discourse for two weeks.
No in between. Can’t wait.
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) October 1, 2023
DTR is gonna ball
— Gage (@GageEHC) October 1, 2023
I am unreasonably excited to see if DTR and Aidan O'Connell can continue impressive preseason showings into the regular season today.
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 1, 2023
For DTR, take the easy play and don’t turn the ball over. Jerome Ford and the defense are very much needed in a key early season matchup.
— Cody Suek (@CodySuek) October 1, 2023
Let’s go DTR! @Browns
If you had told me in Preseason; Week 3, Chubb would be out for the season and Watson has a shoulder issue, I would be a lot less confident not seeing our defense in action Week 1 and 2.
— Mike McFadden (@MUTGuru) October 1, 2023
Browns fans far and wide agreed back in training camp & preseason that DTR was the best backup plan if anything happened to Watson
Now its time- give em hell 17#DawgPound
pic.twitter.com/IiEqDQ4D1v— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) October 1, 2023
I’m nervous he’s going to be bad today and then all my fun College DTR memories will be poisoned by the fact that he may suck in the NFL https://t.co/tpdvnnsODW
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 1, 2023
