Deshaun Watson is coming off his best performance of the season in the Browns’ 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. Watson, who has gotten off to a less-than-stellar start in Cleveland, completed 27-of-33 passes (81.8 percent) for 289 yards with two passing touchdowns. He added four rushes for 16 yards, but one of those attempts is why he’ll be listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game.
According to Scott Petrak, the Browns writer for The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette, Cleveland offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said Thursday that Watson hurt his shoulder during a run in the team’s Week 3 victory.
That would explain why Watson has been a limited participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, as he nurses a right shoulder injury. However, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Watson did throw during Thursday’s practice, though it came in a limited capacity.
#Browns Deshaun Watson limited again but threw a little today. Jerome Ford (shoulder) upgraded from limited to full pic.twitter.com/DXvLAlkrnc
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 28, 2023
All in all, Watson should be fine. And the growing expectation is that he should be ready to go for the team’s Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns seem confident that he will play, though they had him do a light day of work in practice on Thursday, as they look to see how he feels playing through that shoulder injury. Watson has played through injuries before, including having cracked ribs, so all growing indications are that he should be ready to go by 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The NFL world was quick to react to the Watson announcement.
Browns fans, how concerned are you about Deshaun Watson's shoulder?
Cleveland's QB history with shoulders isn't exactly reassuring. 🤨 #Browns #DeshaunWatson #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/dtIhCJmFQ7— BROWNS 2024 🧡 (@4Deshaun) September 28, 2023
Would really like to hear that he is less limited tomorrow https://t.co/tnSwGs2LoG
— Tim (@Sole0526) September 28, 2023
He needs to stop trying to truck defensive players and just get down. He’s not going to last doing that
— Pantsmansser (@pantsmansser1) September 28, 2023
I don’t like this https://t.co/ttUSZpbRTF
— Zach (@PhenoMVP) September 28, 2023
And there you go. They called a run play for QB and voila. He got hurt early in season, DTR time. https://t.co/xt8xQuM2qJ
— daniel ha❌blin (@hamblind20) September 28, 2023
Oh no, another sore shoulder, I am getting flashbacks. https://t.co/7o5pAljVec
— JDawg66 (@SmerkeJohn) September 28, 2023
#DeshaunWatson throwing shoulder is not a big concern. See why the high #SICscore of 93 for game vs @Ravens.https://t.co/xyxyeGk9ny pic.twitter.com/GZwimU1JdN
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) September 28, 2023
If Watson is unable to go, or the shoulder injury lingers through Sunday’s game, the Browns would have to turn to backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
[Scott Petrak, Mary Kay Cabot on X]
