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Update:
Cleveland Browns quarter Deshaun Watson will not play against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, per NFL Insider Josina Anderson.
I’m told the #Browns QB Deshaun Watson will not play Sunday vs the 5-0 #49ers, per source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 12, 2023
Original Story:
In the upcoming Week 6 game against the 49ers, the Browns might see a new quarterback taking the reins if Deshaun Watson remains sidelined due to a shoulder injury.
Veteran P.J. Walker is expected to step into the starting role, getting the nod over rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, according to TheOBR’s Brad Stainbrook.
The #Browns will start PJ Walker if Deshaun Watson can’t play on Sunday, per a league source. https://t.co/6uC4oCqmS4
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) October 10, 2023
Thompson-Robinson started in his place on Week 4 for the Browns against the Ravens when Watson was unavailable, but had a brutal outing. The Browns suffered a tough 28-3 loss, and Thompson-Robinson had zero touchdowns and three interceptions.
Where was Dorian Thompson-Robinson throwing this ball?
Easy INT..pic.twitter.com/t9Q3j3jpRAhttps://t.co/XvQtZaca1V
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 1, 2023
There’s still plenty of hope Watson will return to start, especially considering the team is coming off a bye week, giving him extra time to rest. Although Watson didn’t join the team outside for practice on Monday, he worked closely with trainers indoors. Watson resumed throwing, a positive sign, but it isn’t clear if he’ll be able to start.
Seems the Browns prefer to give the veteran Walker a shot against the best team in the league instead of the rookie.