National Football League

Browns QB Deshaun Watson can't put timeline on return from shoulder injury

Published Oct. 18, 2023 3:14 p.m. ET

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson still can't practice due to a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder, an injury that has kept him out of two games and potentially more.

Watson spoke on Wednesday for the first time since Sept. 27. The three-time Pro Bowler confirmed that he's dealing with a "tricky" injury to his right shoulder and said it's impossible to gauge when he'll be back on the field.

"I mean it can be any day," Watson said. "It can be tomorrow, it could be Sunday, it can be two weeks from now. I'm not even sure. It's day to day. I'm following the steps of the medical team, and when that time is ready then I'm going to go out there.

"I can't put a timeline on anything right now."

Watson sat out Cleveland's games before and after the team's bye week with the injury he sustained on a running play in a Sept. 24 game against Tennessee.

If he can't play this week at Indianapolis, P.J. Walker will start against the Colts. But coach Kevin Stefanski said he's not ready to rule out Watson.

The Browns are 1-1 without Watson. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson started a 28-3 loss to Baltimore on Oct. 1, and Walker, who was on the practice squad until a few days ago, helped the Browns shock the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers 19-17 on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Watson had been expected to play against the Ravens, but he couldn't make any passes beyond a few yards during a pregame workout session. The decision for him to sit led to some confusion as to whether it was Watson or the Browns who made that call.

FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer explained why Watson's injury is so hard to put a recovery timetable on during the #AskGlazer segment on The NFL on FOX Podcast on Sunday. According to Glazer, Watson's rotator cuff injury has led to a muscle issue that has weakened his right arm, meaning he cannot throw with the velocity he needs and does not know when that issue will be resolved.

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"It's a tricky deal," Watson said. "You gotta kind of take that baseball approach and talk to some people that deal with rotator cuffs more often. So that's what we've been doing and just really trying to strengthen that muscle and everything around it so we can get back comfortable."

Last week, Watson stayed inside the facility to rehab his bruised rotator cuff.

Before he got hurt, Watson had his best game since signing a $230 million contract with Cleveland last year. He completed 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns' 27-3 win over the Titans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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