Browns’ Deshaun Watson Explains Early Exit Sunday, Ongoing Shoulder Situation

An unusual level of controversy has clouded the Browns' quarterback situation this season—even by Cleveland's standards.

Presumptive starter Deshaun Watson has been battling a recurring shoulder injury, limiting his effectiveness on the field and forcing the Browns into using three quarterbacks this season. Backups Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker have each made starts, and Walker is set to take the reins again on Sunday against the Seahawks.

On Thursday, Watson opened up about the state of his shoulder after leaving Cleveland's 39-38 win over the Colts Sunday afternoon with an injury.

"Got a little taste, three or four series. At the end of the day, it wasn't right," he told reporters, noting that his shoulder was a concern for him separate from a concussion evaluation he underwent during the game.

Watson: "Got a little taste, three or four series. At the end of the day, it wasn't right."

Watson says the shoulder was always the concern after the first hit. He says the concussion evaluation didn't come until later, hence the second trip to the blue tent.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 26, 2023

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Watson—whom Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt noted “didn’t look like himself early”—finished the afternoon with just one completion in five attempts for five yards against one interception.

"As soon as possible, as soon as possible," Watson said, describing how quickly he intended to return. "We just gotta go through the process again and rehab, get back with the docs, try to strengthen (the shoulder) as much as possible and get the pain away and try to get back on the field as soon as possible.