NFL Rumors: Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Could Miss Multiple Weeks

Trust issues are beginning to crop up between the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson. According to cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, the three-time Pro Bowler could still miss multiple weeks with a shoulder contusion in his rotator cuff suffered during the Browns' Week 3 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Deshaun Watson could miss multiple more games with a strain-like deep contusion in his rotator cuff; he's the #Browns $230 million investment, and they won't play him until he can throw normally and pain-free: My report https://t.co/xLh1gMi0M3
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 13, 2023

According to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, Watson has been cleared to play by Browns' doctors but does not personally feel well enough to take the field. Watson was a late scratch prior to the Browns' Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and has already been declared out for Sunday's matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.

In Watson's stead, journeyman backup quarterback P.J. Walker will get his first start of the season. He should be a marked improvement on Week 4 starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who threw three interceptions in a 28-3 defeat to the Ravens. Still, Walker will be hard-pressed to compete with a 5-0 49ers team that has allowed the fewest points in the league.

Watson is entitled to his own health and safety and shouldn't be pressed to play if uncomfortable, but his unavailability is nonetheless more evidence that the Browns haven't got what they bargained for since dramatically trading for the controversial Pro Bowler. Due to suspension and injury, Watson has only started nine games for the Browns since 2022, and he's been subpar when on the field, netting 5.31 pass yards per attempt while throwing seven interceptions and fumbling five times.

With a defense that leads the league in yards allowed per game and a potent run game that ranks fifth in rushing yards per game despite a devastating injury to star running back Nick Chubb, the Browns may only need mediocrity from the quarterback position to contend for an AFC North crown. Unfortunately, mediocrity may be too much to ask from Watson at this point.