Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reportedly won’t play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6.
Watson, who suffered a shoulder injury in Week 3, hasn’t taken the field since September 24. Now, for the 13th time since the Browns traded multiple first-round picks for Watson, they will be starting their backup quarterback with one of the highest-paid NFL players sidelined once again.
- Deshaun Watson stats (Cleveland Browns): 5-4 record, 60.3% completion rate, 117 TD-INT, 1,780 passing yards, 82.4 QB rating, 197.8 pass yards per game, 32 sacks
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According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, Watson will not face the 49ers in Week 6. In his absence, Cleveland will start backup quarterback P.J. Walker against one of the NFL’s best defenses this season.
It marks the second consecutive game Watson has missed. While he was medically cleared to play in Week 4, the three-time Pro Bowl selection opted against taking the field. In his absence, rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson started. Cleveland lost 28-3 to the Baltimore Ravens, with Thompson-Robinson throwing three interceptions with four sacks.
- Deshaun Watson contract: $19.057 million cap hit (2023), $63.977 million average annual cap hit in 2024-’26
Walker has struggled in limited opportunities, including seven career NFL starts. From 2020-’22 with the Carolina Panthers, Walker completed just 57.5% of his throws with a 5-11 TD-INT ratio, 63.9 QB rating and he averaged just 97.4 passing yards per game.
Watson’s absence puts the team into an even bigger hole heading into Sunday. With All-Pro running back Nick Chubb out for the season, Cleveland will have to depend on Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt against a 49ers’ run defense that has allowed just 3.7 yards per carry and 64.2 rushing yards per game this season.
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There’s no timeline for Watson’s return. The 2020 NFL passing yards leader hasn’t practiced all week and didn’t speak with reporters during his typical Wednesday press conference. After facing San Francisco in Week 6, the Browns head out on a road trip for matchups against the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks.