Watson has sore shoulder
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is dealing with a sore right throwing shoulder but is expected to play Sunday when Cleveland hosts the Ravens.
Watson, who is coming off his best game since signing with the Browns, didn’t throw during the portion of practice open to reporters on Wednesday. The 28-year-old stood behind rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson during drills and did mental reps.
Watson will be listed as “limited” on Cleveland’s injury report.
A team spokesman confirmed Watson is resting his shoulder after taking several hard hits in Sunday’s 27-3 win over the Titans. Watson completed 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
He also showed his toughness by taking several big hits, including a forearm chop from a Tennessee rusher to the neck area that brought trainers onto the field. Watson shook it off and stayed in the game.
The Titans were flagged for roughing the passer on the play.
Jets’ theme remains
Robert Saleh still believes in Zach Wilson. The embattled starting quarterback's teammates insist they do, too.
But with Wilson and the offense struggling mightily and the Jets already at a crossroads in Week 4, things need to change on the field — and fast.
“We all acknowledge he has to play better,” Saleh said. “The key is to have confidence in yourself. You have to. And you have to continually stack good days.”
Those have been few and far between for Wilson on game days, though.
The Jets had Super Bowl aspirations with Aaron Rodgers leading the way entering the season, but that all vanished when the four-time NFL MVP tore his left Achilles’ tendon four snaps into his debut. New York rallied to beat Buffalo in overtime, but two losses and little offensive production later, the Jets are approaching crisis mode.
Many frustrated fans have tired of Wilson, but there are few other options at the moment. The Jets signed veteran Trevor Siemian to the practice squad Tuesday, but Saleh said he'll be inactive against Kansas City Sunday night as he acclimates himself.
Young trending up
Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young is trending toward playing Sunday against the Vikings barring any setbacks, according to coach Frank Reich.
Young was a full participant at practice.
The No. 1 overall pick missed last Sunday’s game against the Seahawks with an ankle injury.
“The big thing right now is to see how he responds [Thursday] because it was good work today,” Reich said after practice. “Just have to make sure there’s no major setbacks, no flareups. But if he stays on track, then I think things are headed in the right direction.”
Reich said Young took his normal percentage of reps in practice.
Young did not have a noticeable limp during the 20 minutes of practice that were open to reporters.
Reich admitted earlier in the day he thought Young would miss two games rather than one after sustaining an ankle injury in Week 2 against New Orleans. Reich has previously said when Young is healthy enough to play he will be the starter.
Veteran QB Andy Dalton started last week against Seattle.
Richardson may play
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was back on the practice field.
Whether he starts Sunday against the Rams is still to be determined.
Coach Shane Steichen told reporters the highly touted rookie would take all the snaps with the starting offense, clearing another hurdle in the concussion protocol before reclaiming his starting job.
“They’re still in the protocol still but they’re going to practice today,” Steichen said, referring to Richardson and three-time Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, who both missed last weekend’s 2219 overtime victory at Baltimore.
Lions-Packers on tap
When the Lions previously visited Lambeau Field, they knocked Green Bay out of playoff contention in what turned out to be Rodgers’s final game in a Packers uniform.
Nearly nine months later, the Lions return with a chance to solidify themselves as NFC North favorites by beating the division’s traditional heavyweight for a fourth consecutive time.
“We know we can win out there,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
The Lions (2-1) and Packers (2-1) head into this Thursday night showdown tied for first place in the NFC North. The division’s only other two teams are the winless Bears (0-3) and Vikings (0-3).