Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson missed the Week 4 matchup vs. the Baltimore Ravens due to a shoulder injury, and even after having the Week 5 bye to rest up, he’s still not ready to return to action. According to CBS Sports HQ Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson, Watson will not play Sunday when Cleveland hosts the San Francisco 49ers.
Watson missed practice this week on Wednesday and Thursday. NFL Media previously reported he was day-to-day with a rotator cuff contusion. With the Browns’ starting quarterback out, they will reportedly not start Dorian Thompson-Robinson this time around.
Instead, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that if Watson couldn’t play, the Browns would start veteran P.J. Walker. He will be elevated from the practice squad ahead of the game.
“Just felt like it was the right decision for the team,” Stefanski said of making Walker the backup to Watson before Watson was ruled out. “I think PJ’s been here now for a month-plus, getting a better understanding of what we do. But just felt like it was the right decision for the team.”