Update: Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Wednesday that Watson will miss Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson left Sunday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter after banging his head on the turf. He ultimately passed through the NFL concussion protocol, but did not return to action.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game that his goal was to make sure Watson wasn’t hit further after he missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury. The struggling, high-priced quarterback underwent a series of tests after the game, including an MRI.
There is some good news on this front. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports that an MRI revealed no further damage to Watson’s shoulder. He’s still working to re-acquire strength and is considered day-to-day. Officially, Watson will be questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Deshaun Watson stats (2023): 62% completion, 683 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT
Watson struggled in his return to action before being injured last week, completing 1-of-5 passes for five yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. Despite this, Cleveland was able to pull off a stunning 39-38 win to move to 4-2 on the season with P.J. Walker replacing him under center.
After Sunday’s game, Watson was a bit more guarded about his injury than Stefanski.
“I’m praying it’s not anything worse. That’s all I can do right now,” Deshaun Watson told reporters.
In reality, Watson has not been his former Pro Bowl self since Cleveland acquired him from the Houston Texans ahead of the 2022 season. In 10 starts with the team, he’s thrown a mere 11 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
This is not what the Browns had envisioned when they signed the former Pro Bowler to a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. As of right now, they just need to make sure he’s close to 100% before throwing the high-priced signal caller back out there. A long-term injury would have wide-ranging ramifications for the organization.
