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As the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts prepared to face off in Week 7 of the NFL season, the health of QB Deshaun Watson’s shoulder was the big story. After the Browns took the lead early on a long RB Jerome Ford run, the Colts responded with two touchdowns.
Watson struggled early, completing just one of five pass attempts for five yards. He also had an interception. Cleveland’s QB was close to a second INT but a review overturned that. Unfortunately, Watson was also injured on the same play.
As seen in the video below, Watson’s head seemed to bounce off the turf:
Watson with a hard hit to his head. No flag was thrown here. #CLEvsIND pic.twitter.com/rWP7bXEDAX
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) October 22, 2023
As he was slowly jogging off the field, Watson seemed to be favoring his right arm, the shoulder was a problem that kept him out for a couple of weeks.
The quarterback went right into the medical tent but came out as the next offensive series started.
Shortly after, DE Myles Garrett forced a turnover which led to QB PJ Walker taking over the offense.
As the first quarter ended, Watson headed back to the injury tent:
#Browns Deshaun Watson back in medical tent at change of quarter.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) October 22, 2023
Update:
TV showed him going back in with league neurological person https://t.co/U4eHBK6hM4
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) October 22, 2023
Update #2:
Per the broadcast, Watson has been cleared of a concussion and “nothing to report” on the quarterback but Walker remains in the game.
Update #3:
Deshaun Watson has still not thrown a pass since leaving the blue medical tent.
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) October 22, 2023
Doesn't appear that he'll be coming back in any time soon.
Has his helmet in his hands still, however. #Browns
Update #4:
HC Kevin Stefanski told sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala that Watson was out for precautionary reasons. Whether he could return if needed is unknown.
Update #5 after the game:
We might be in for a little more confusion this week on Watson’s injury. Stefanski talked about playing it safe but that Watson would be starting in Seattle if he is good to go:
#Browns Kevin Stefanski on keeping Deshaun Watson out of the rest of the game: "I just felt like I wanted to protect him. I didn't want him to get hit."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) October 22, 2023
Said it's Sunday so he can't speak too soon but he expects Deshaun, "if everything clears," to be "ready to roll."
Watson, for his part, talked about it being a medical decision to keep him out:
Watson says it was a “medical decision” for him to not go in. Says he’s not sure if he re-inured the shoulder #Browns pic.twitter.com/oFEiJzNOTp
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) October 22, 2023
The starting QB is also uncertain about his status for next week
#Browns Deshaun Watson on if he expects to start against Seattle next week: "I'm not sure, we'll see."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) October 22, 2023
While it does seem that the head coach and quarterback are saying the same thing, it means we are in for a week of uncertainty it seems. Watson was not put back into this game for safety reasons so what will make it safe enough for him to start on Sunday?
What do you think about Watson’s injury after seeing Stefanski’s quotes and hearing from Watson?
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