When will Browns QB Deshaun Watson play again?

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski ruled QB Deshaun Watson out of the team's Week 8 matchup against the Seahawks so that he can focus on rehabbing his shoulder this week. When will Watson play again?

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watson suffered a strain of the subscapularis within the rotator cuff and he continues to have both pain and weakness with movement. This type of injury in baseball normally causes pitchers to miss four to six weeks.

Watson attempted to play through the injury last week against the Colts but was pulled from the game in the first quarter.

"I just feel like with what happened in the game, landing on his shoulder, there's residual swelling that's affecting his throwing. I think it's the best thing for him to rest this week and focus on the rehab," Stefanski told reporters. "I feel like this is the best decision for this week."

Outside of Watson's limited first-quarter action in Week 7, he has not played since Week 3 when he suffered the injury. 

If the timeline to return is correct, that puts Watson on track to be back in the lineup in Week 9. However, if he did worsen his injury last week, Cleveland may be without its $230M quarterback for much longer.

The Browns have since made the necessary move of signing QB P.J. Walker to their active roster after he used up his three practice squad activations. If the backup quarterback, who has thrown for 370 yards and three interceptions the last two weeks continues to underwhelm, don't be surprised if Cleveland adds to the room.

A name to watch is Commanders QB Jacoby Brissett, who started 11 games for the Browns in 2022. It shouldn't take much compensation to make the reunion possible.