Andrew Buller-Russ
The Cleveland Browns have already ruled out Deshaun Watson for Sunday’s matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. It will be the second consecutive game the Browns’ franchise QB has missed. Initially, there was a belief that he’d be able to play in Week 4, since he was cleared by the medical team, yet Watson’s injury is lingering longer than expected.
Watson then had another full week to recover, with Cleveland’s bye taking place in Week 5, yet he’s still not ready to return.
What’s the issue with Watson?
While there is no structural damage to his throwing shoulder, according to Mary Kay Cabot, Watson is actually dealing with a deep rotator cuff contusion. It’s possible he’s set to miss several more weeks while trying to recover.
Watson is not expected to need surgery, but if that determination changes, the three-time Pro Bowl QB may be forced to miss the rest of the season.
For now, the Browns are hoping to get their starting QB back for next week’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, but that’s far from a guarantee. Typically, a bruised rotator cuff takes anywhere from two to six weeks to recover from. This Sunday will be three weeks since Watson suffered the injury.
Yet, with Watson the future of the Browns at QB, no one should be surprised if Cleveland takes extra precautions with their $230 million cornerstone.
Related: See where Deshaun Watson lands in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB rankings
