NFL world reacts to horrible Deshaun Watson injury news

Cleveland Browns star quarterback Deshaun Watson got some disappointing news today regarding his shoulder injury. The quarterback will not participate in practice today due to a shoulder issue that makes him questionable to play in the Browns’ week six matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. This news comes from NFL insider Tom Pelissero via Twitter.

Watson’s injury occurred way back in week three in the third quarter with 6:35 remaining in Cleveland’s blowout victory against the Tennessee Titans. He took the snap and ran on a quarterback keep play to the left side of the field. Titans safety Amani Hooker hit the quarterback’s shoulder with great force to try and stop him. Watson was able to finish the game, though, and recorded his best stat line of the year so far going for 27-33 on his attempts and 289 yards for two touchdowns.

There seemed to be no reports of a shoulder injury after it occurred. The first indication that something was wrong came from the Browns’ practice that was open to the media. During throwing drills, the quarterback never threw the football, but instead practiced working on his release. Once asked by reporters why he did not participate, it was then revealed that he had a shoulder contusion.

Deshaun Watson has gotten his team to a 2-2 start this season and has amounted to 678 passing yards and four touchdowns. Cleveland had an early bye last week which would usually help with these types of injuries, but not in Watson’s case. The Browns are prepared to start backup P.J. Walker if the star quarterback cannot participate.

This would be a huge loss for the Browns as they face the undefeated 49ers this weekend. It’s not like they can just hand the ball off to Nick Chubb either since he is out for the rest of the year. This is an ongoing situation and will continue to be updated as the week progresses.

READ MORE

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson began the week with a “did not practice” designation on the team’s Week Six practice report. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the news Wednesday prior to the team taking the practice field, continuing to call the former Texans QB “day-to-day.” Stefanski noted that Watson was spending his time at the facility rehabbing, but that he would do “some throwing,” as well. “With injuries you just have to treat each one specifically and with this one that’s what we’re doing,” Stefanski said of the situation. “We’re just taking in information from our medical staff from Deshaun and making sure we’re making the right decisions with everything.”

The “rotator cuff contusion” Watson is dealing with came back on Sept. 24, during the Browns 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans. In the week that followed, the 28-year-old progressed from not being able to lift his arm, to attempting to throw a couple passes late in the week.

Normally, minimal throwing at a Friday practice would be a major red flag, but Watson vehemently told his teammates he was going to play against the Baltimore Ravens that weekend. The team seemed equally prepared for that outcome as well, come Sunday morning. The Browns medical staff ultimately cleared Watson to play, but a pregame exposed that he couldn’t effectively do his job. For the ailment to still be hindering Watson over two weeks since it was sustained, has left the organization susceptible to plenty questions about the severity of it and how long it could keep him off the field.

Asked if this could be a situation where Watson enters Sunday as a game-time decision against the San Francisco 49ers, Stefanski simply said he wasn’t thinking past Wednesday. “Any injury – ankle, knee, shoulder – you have to be able to do your job,” the Browns head man said. “You have to be able to function and be able to do all the things asked of you to play your position. Watson needs to continue to rehab and get to a place where he can do your job at a high level.

“A quarterback, dealing with this type of injury you want to make sure he can drive the football and make all the throws.” While Watson’s status remains in limbo midway through the week, Stefanski confirmed that veteran PJ Walker would be the next man up if the Clemson product is unable to perform.