The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a familiar position — precarious.
At 2-2, a victory in Week 6 could see the Browns gain ground in an increasingly-competitive AFC North. Cleveland has the third-ranked scoring defense in the NFL and has twice held opponents to three points as it pursues a return to the postseason.
The not-as-good news? The Browns face the juggernaut San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and quarterback Deshaun Watson — a player who, nominally, gives them a better shot to win that game — will be unavailable for the second consecutive contest, with the possibility growing that he will miss extensive time.
What’s wrong with Watson?
Watson is continuing to deal with what is being called a “right rotator cuff contusion.” The deep bruise in Watson’s throwing shoulder is “strain-like,” and it has rendered him unable to throw the ball effectively.
Watson — whose $230 million contract is fully-guaranteed, regardless of his health — was unable to play in Week 4 due to this injury, and Cleveland lost 28-3 at home to the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns had a bye in Week 5.
Even when healthy, Watson has not lived up to his humongous contract, and he remains reviled for the litany of sexual misconduct lawsuits filed against him — most of which he settled in 2022. Watson has thrown 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions in nine games for the Browns, and his pedestrian 82.4 quarterback rating is a far cry from the elite-level 104.5 rating he posted across four seasons in Houston.
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The Browns’ revolving door opens again
Watson‘s uncertain status moving forward means the Browns will turn to P.J. Walker against the 49ers, and perhaps for upcoming games too. This comes after fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw three interceptions in the loss to Baltimore two weeks ago.
When Walker trots out at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday, he will become the franchise’s 36th different starting quarterback since its rebirth in 1999. This is more than any other NFL franchise, and it offers insight into why Cleveland — despite overwhelming outrage — felt it had to move on from the inconsistent Baker Mayfield to give Watson the sport’s most lucrative guaranteed contract ever.
With Watson as well as All-Pro lineman Joel Bitonio (knee injury) unable to play, it is perhaps no coincidence that San Francisco is a 9.5-point favorite against Cleveland on Sunday.
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Marca
