Deshaun Watson was limited in practice all week leading up to the Browns' Week 4 game against the Ravens after suffering a right shoulder contusion last week.
Still, there seemed to be plenty of optimism around the team that the quarterback would be able to go against Baltimore, and he was listed as questionable on the final injury report — not doubtful or out.
After going through a pregame workout session Sunday under the close watch of Cleveland's coaches and medical staff, though, Watson will not take the field for the home game.
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Here's what to know about the Browns' quarterback situation for Week 4 and beyond:
Deshaun Watson injury update
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Friday he was "hopeful" Watson would be able to play, and the quarterback himself said "I'm okay, I'll play," but their optimism proved unfounded.
Watson was on the field in Cleveland about three hours before the game, working through throwing drills as Stefanski, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and general manager Andrew Berry watched from the sidelines.
#Browns Deshaun Watson consults with Kevin Stefanski, Alex Van Pelt and Andrew Berry after throwing some 5, 10 yard passes. Gets some back pats and before walking off pic.twitter.com/cJ3OnhwLBW
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 1, 2023
Shortly after Watson completed the session, reports emerged that Dorian Thompson-Robinson would get the start, with Watson set to be inactive.
The backup's first turn in the spotlight, as Thompson-Robinson completed 19 of 36 passes for just 121 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions in a 28-3 loss to Baltimore.
Afterward, Stefanski expressed confidence that Watson would be ready for the Browns' next game, Oct. 15 against the 49ers. Cleveland has a bye next weekend.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said he expects Deshaun Watson to be back for the #49ers Oct 15 pic.twitter.com/CRE5uCDC9c
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 1, 2023
What is Deshaun Watson's injury?
Watson hurt his right shoulder on a run during the Browns' 27-3 victory over the Titans in Week 3, and the team is officially calling it a contusion.
The quarterback had his best game of the season against Tennessee, completing 27 of 33 passes (81.8 percent) for 289 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in Cleveland's first game since the loss of star running back Nick Chubb to a season-ending knee injury. Watson was 38 of 69 (55.1 percent) for 389 yards with two TDs and two interceptions in the Browns' first two games.
Browns QB depth chart
| No. | Quarterback |
| 1 | Deshaun Watson |
| 2 | Dorian Thompson-Robinson |
| 3 | P.J. Walker |
With Watson sidelined Sunday, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will make his first NFL start. The UCLA product was impressive in the preseason after Cleveland selected him in the fifth round of this year's draft.
The team felt comfortable enough with him to trade veteran backup Joshua Dobbs to the Cardinals late in the preseason, elevating DTR to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Watson.
Cleveland signed P.J. Walker, who went through training camp with the Bears, to the practice squad after the Dobbs trade. The Browns elevated Walker to the active roster Saturday ahead of the Ravens game and he will serve as Thompson-Robinson's backup in Week 4.
Walker, 28, spent the last three seasons with the Panthers, starting five games in 2022 as part of Carolina's revolving door at quarterback.
In 15 total NFL appearances, he has completed 57.5 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and 11 interceptions and has a QB rating of 63.9.
