Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson sidelined after heavy hit: Who is the back-up?

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watched their Week 7 match against the Indianapolis Colts from the sidelines after taking a heavy hit early in the game.

Watson, who was questionable going into the game with a shoulder injury, looked out of sorts early on against the Colts, completing just one pass while also throwing an interception.

And Watson almost threw a second interception, however Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II could not maintain possession of the ball.

It was on that play that Watson took a heavy hit, during which his head made significant contact with the ground.

Watson was checked for concussion following the hit and was cleared by the concussion protocol, however he did not return.

The former Houston Texan was not officially ruled out of the contest, but back-up quarterback PJ Walker remained in the game.

Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the other quarterback on the Browns roster.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson made his first start in nearly a month Sunday at Indianapolis then left after taking a big hit in the first quarter and did not return.

He went to the medical tent twice and was cleared to return after going through the concussion protocol.

But coach Kevin Stefanski opted not to put his $230 million franchise quarterback in jeopardy of additional injury and backup P.J. Walker led the Browns to a second straight come-from-behind win.

“He’s our starter moving forward, he’s our starter in Seattle,” Stefanski said after a thrilling 39-38 victory at Indianapolis. “I just, it’s always going to be my decision to protect our players.”

Watson hadn’t played since suffering a strained rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder Sept. 24 and only returned to practice this week after last working out with his teammates Sept. 29.

In his brief stint Sunday, Watson didn’t look like his usual self. He was 1 of 5 with 5 yards and one interception before leaving and his final pass was initially ruled an interception before being overturned on a replay review.

On that play, Watson was scrambling toward the Colts sideline when he tried to throw the ball against his body. As he leapt into the air, Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingo hit Watson in the chest, driving him into the ground as the back of Watson’s head bounced off the turf.

Watson stayed on the ground for several minutes before finally getting up and walking to the sideline and the blue medical tent. He was replaced on the next series by Walker and then entered the tent a second time between the first and second quarters.

Watson was making just his fourth appearance of the season after missing two games and the bye week because of the right shoulder injury.

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett had a first half to remember against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.

The 2017 number one overall pick notched up the 81st sack of his career – the most in NFL history by a player under the age of 28.

The 81st sack moved Garrett one clear of Reggie White, who is has the second most sacks of all time with 198.

And Garrett’s game got even better in the second quarter, as he lept over two Colts players on special teams to block a field goal.

Things continued to get better for Garrett and the Browns, as the star defensive end then forced a fumble in the endzone which lead to a Cleveland touchdown.

Garrett is part of an exceptional Browns defense which ranks best in the NFL through the first six weeks of the season