Browns make another confusing call with QB Deshaun Watson

The mystery surrounding Browns QB Deshaun Watson continued to grow in the team's 39-38 win against the Colts in Week 7 after he was pulled from the game in the first quarter.

Watson has been dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 4, but his return to the field was short-lived.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the game that it was his decision to keep Watson on the sideline despite him being cleared after undergoing an evaluation for a concussion.

"I just did not want to put him back out there," Stefanski said. "I wanted to protect our franchise quarterback."

It's almost the same scenario that played out in Week 4 when Watson was medically cleared to play but decided not to.

Watson said he wanted to go back in the game as a "competitor" but it was Stefanski this time who decided he wasn't going to play the rest of the day.

"It was a medical decision," Watson told reporters. "They thought it was best that PJ [Walker] go in and finish the game."

It was a head-scratching decision because it was a close game until the very end and Walker continued to struggle. The backup QB threw for 192 yards and two interceptions in Week 6, and it wasn't much better this week as he threw for 178 yards and one interception.

Watson added that he isn't sure if he re-injured his shoulder, but he is expected to next week's game in Seattle.

"He's our starter in Seattle," Stefanski finished. "It will always be my decision to protect our players."

It's understandable to be cautious with your franchise quarterback but Cleveland paid Watson $230M to win games and he can't do that on the sideline.