BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is still dealing with a shoulder contusion that he suffered Week 3 against the Titans—and will miss another practice as he rehabs the injury that the team described as "day-to-day."
Watson worked inside the facility on Monday, doing some light throwing and rehab work in the post-bye week practice. On Wednesday morning, Watson's typically scheduled day he holds media availbilty, the quarterback was not made availble.
Just before practice was scheduled to start, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Watson would not be participating Wednesday.
"He's not going to practice today. He continues to be day-to-day with this injury and will continue to treat it," Stefanski said. "I'm not going to have updates past today."
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Despite sustaining the injury, which is a contusion on his AC joint in his throwing shoulder, Watson had been expected to play against the Ravens despite being limited in practice the week leading up to the game. Coaches and teammates expressed optimism that the injury would not impact his availability.
However that Sunday in pregame warmups, Watson, after a few quick throws, determined he would not be able to perform at a level he felt comfortable at. Sources have said his range of motion is being impacted by swelling of the shoulder and the contusion.
The injury is not one that is related to pain. Stefanski reiterated on Wednesday before practice that the injury is related to his functionality.
"You have to be able to do your job and you have to be able to function and be able to do all the things that are asked of you to play your position. So that's really what it is. Making sure that he continues to rehab and get to a place where he's able to do his job at a high level," Stefanski said.
Watson is expected to do some light throwing indoors but focus on his rehabbing.
In the meantime, P.J. Walker has been named the Browns backup quarterback leading into the 49ers game on Sunday if Watson can't play.
"I think we've talked about this a lot with a backup quarterback. Sometimes you're playing early in the week. Sometimes it's the third play of the fourth quarter that you're going in there, so you always have to stay ready. I will tell you for this week, P.J.'s going to be the backup quarterback, so he'll get the reps today with Deshaun not being out there," Stefanski said.
Stefanski announced that P.J. Walker will be the No. 2 quarterback for this week.
Joel Bitonio, David Njoku and Myles Garrett also didn't practice on Wednesday.
