The Cleveland Browns have reached the end of the road on their ability to play backup QB P.J. Walker from the practice squad — unless they want to risk passing him through waivers.
Walker hit the limit on the amount of times he can serve as a gameday elevation under his current practice squad status Sunday against the Colts when he was elevated for the third time this season.
Now, the Browns must decide whether to add him to the 53-man roster or cut him and attempt to pass him through waivers, in which case he could then be re-signed to the practice squad and receive another three gameday elevation options. The Browns could also just keep him on the practice squad, but that would mean rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson would reclaim the top backup slot, which seems unlikely.
Signing Walker to the 53-man roster seems to be the most reasonable option, especially as Watson’s availability continues to be in question due to a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for all but one of the Browns’ last 12 quarters.
When asked Monday how the Browns might approach Walker’s roster status, head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t offer a direct answer.
“That’s an (Andrew Berry) question,” he said. “We talked through all those and we’ll update you when appropriate.”
Despite the Browns winning their last two games, Walker has been unimpressive and completed just 50 percent of his passes for no touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s led the Browns on game-winning drives in each of their last two games, but those drives were largely possible because of multiple game-changing plays from the defense.
The Browns, though, might not have many better options at backup QB. Thompson-Robinson is the only other QB on the roster and struggled mightily in the Week 4 loss to the Ravens, which led to Walker receiving the backup job.
Unless they find a way to acquire another backup (hello, Jacoby Brissett?), Walker is the best man for the job.
The Browns’ preference, of course, would be to have Deshaun Watson back and healthy for the remainder of the season, but that’s far from a certainty after he might’ve re-aggravated his shoulder injury Sunday in the first quarter. Stefanski continued to call Watson “day to day” Monday when asked whether he could start Week 8 against the Seahawks.
Even if Watson returns, the Browns will face major questions with his consistency. He’s only turned in one game with a passer rating over 71 this season, and that was in Week 3, the same week he suffered the shoulder injury.
Watson has completed 61 percent of his passes this season with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Yes, he’s barely played more than three games, but the Browns are desperate for better QB play and sorely need it to come from Watson in order to not waste a promising season.
But if Watson isn’t available, they need someone who can at least operate the offense and give them a chance.
Will they deem Walker the best fit for that?
That decision might have to be executed by Sunday.
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