Cleveland Browns quarterback ‘not sure’ about playing in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson says he is “not even sure” if he will be able to play in their Week 9 match-up against the Arizona Cardinals.

After injuring his shoulder in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, Watson spent three weeks sidelined before returning in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

It proved to be a bad decision, as Watson handled just 16% of the Browns’ snaps before reaggravating the injury during a heavy hit which also required him to be checked for concussion.

Ahead of the weekend’s game against the Cardinals, NFL Network reporter Andrew Siciliano reported that Watson said: “It’s getting better every day. The arrow is going up.”

Watson also said he was listening to the advice of doctors after admitting he “jumped the gun” in returning against the Colts.

If Watson does miss the Cardinals game, P.J. Walker will start for the Browns despite throwing five interceptions and just one touchdown while covering for Watson.

Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the other quarterback on the roster, but he faired equally poorly when starting in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson says he is “not even sure” if he will be able to play in their Week 9 match-up against the Arizona Cardinals.

After injuring his shoulder in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, Watson spent three weeks sidelined before returning in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

It proved to be a bad decision, as Watson handled just 16% of the Browns’ snaps before reaggravating the injury during a heavy hit which also required him to be checked for concussion.

Ahead of the weekend’s game against the Cardinals, NFL Network reporter Andrew Siciliano reported that Watson said: “It’s getting better every day. The arrow is going up.”

Watson also said he was listening to the advice of doctors after admitting he “jumped the gun” in returning against the Colts.

If Watson does miss the Cardinals game, P.J. Walker will start for the Browns despite throwing five interceptions and just one touchdown while covering for Watson.

Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the other quarterback on the roster, but he faired equally poorly when starting in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Demercado did not practice this week while tending to a toe injury. Arizona will turn to the duo of Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones.

The Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Emari Demercado has played a large portion of the snaps after starter James Conner went down with a knee injury in Week 5. He has 195 yards and one touchdown on 49 attempts while catching 16 of 12 targets for 64 yards. Demercado had 20 carries for 78 yards in his team’s 31-24 loss last Sunday but gave way to teammate Keaontay Ingram in the second half. It is most likely his current toe injury was the culprit for missing game action.

The Cardinals will dress Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones on Sunday. Ingram had two carries for nine yards in Week 8 while playing 38% of the snaps. A sixth-round draft pick in 2022, Ingram averages a lowly 2.4 yards per rush attempt in the NFL. Meanwhile, Jones has been a practice squad mainstay this season. However, he had 21 carries for 70 yards and two touchdowns with the New Orleans Saints earlier this season.

The Cardinals also have Hassan Hall and Corey Clement on the practice squad. Hall is a rookie who has never played in a regular season game, while Clement had 15 carries for 55 yards with Arizona in 2022.