Browns OC defends Deshaun Watson amid shoulder controversy

Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt doesn't want to hear any hot takes about Deshaun Watson as the quarterback recovers from the rotator cuff contusion that kept him from playing in the Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens. 

"I would never, ever, ever doubt his toughness — never," Van Pelt said about Watson during a Thursday news conference, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "I would never doubt his toughness. I’ve seen him play, I’ve seen him do some amazing things, fight through amazing things. That is not the issue at all — whatsoever."

Watson was medically cleared but nevertheless didn't play in what became a 28-3 loss to Baltimore on Oct. 1 ahead of Cleveland's bye and hasn't yet practiced this week. 

The 28-year-old reportedly "aggravated" some teammates when he didn't start versus the Ravens, and it's thought he could need up to six total weeks to fully recover from an issue that seemingly has backup P.J. Walker on track to start over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson when the 2-2 Browns host the 5-0 San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. 

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry previously insisted Watson "couldn’t throw or drive the ball well enough to perform" against the Ravens. Van Pelt echoed those takes on Thursday. 

"If I’m a running back and I can’t run full speed, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make it," Van Pelt added during his comments. "I might be cleared medically, but I can’t operate with my strength, which is my legs as a runner. So, same as a thrower for him. I would never, ever, ever doubt his toughness. He’s tough as nails."

As of Thursday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Browns as seven-and-a-half-point underdogs for Sunday's home game against the Niners. Cleveland plays at the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 on Oct. 22 after the 3-2 Colts take on the 3-2 Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium this Sunday.