Deshaun Watson Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson still not sure if he can play this week

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 11/2/23

Another week, another week of quarterback uncertainty for the Cleveland Browns.

The hope for the Browns was that Deshaun Watson would be able to return to the lineup when the team hosts the Arizona Cardinals, but Watson told reporters on Thursday that he is still not sure if he will be able to play in Sunday's game.

If he is unable to go it is expected that P.J. Walker would get another start.

Watson has appeared in just one game over the past month due to a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 3. He attempted to return to the lineup two weeks ago against the Indianapolis Colts but ended up leaving that game after throwing just five passes (completing only one of them) and taking a big hit.

Watson said on Thursday he returned too soon for that game and needs to listen to the team's medical experts for his next return.

#Browns Deshaun Watson admitted he “jumped the gun” by deciding to play against the #Colts and must listen to the experts pic.twitter.com/A7Ynpf1kSi
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 2, 2023

The Browns' handling of his injury has been bizarre to watch from an outside perspective because there has never been any sort of set timeline and only vague updates on his status. It also is worth asking why the Browns didn't just put him on IR after Week 3 if they knew his injury was going to be this significant.

The Browns made a significant investment, while also taking a massive PR hit, to acquire Watson from Houston. They sent multiple first-round picks to the Texans and gave Watson a massive $230 million fully guaranteed contract in the hopes that he could become their franchise quarterback. Given that investment, it is understandable that the Browns might want to be cautious with him. They don't want to rush him back into the lineup before he is ready and risk mortgaging their future.

But Browns fans also deserve more of an explanation and update on what is happening with him and when they can expect him to be on the field.

So far all they have received for their investment is an 11-game suspension last year, sub-par play when he finally made his debut, more sub-par play this season and now injury uncertainty.

In his 10 appearances with the Browns Watson has managed only a 79.8 passer rating, one of the lowest marks in the NFL over the past two years.

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