Browns prepare Walker to start in place of Watson
As they wait for Deshaun Watson’s shoulder injury to improve, the Browns did some juggling with their healthy quarterbacks.
Watson didn’t practice again Wednesday with a bruised right shoulder, leaving his status in question for Sunday’s game against the unbeaten 49ers.
Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said veteran quarterback P.J. Walker, currently on the practice squad, has moved ahead of Dorian ThompsonRobinson as Watson’s backup. The rookie had a rough debut against the Ravens on Oct. 1.
“Just felt like it was the right decision for the team,” Stefanski said. “P.J.’s been here now for a month plus, getting a better understanding of what we do.”
Walker’s experience should give the Browns (2-2) more confidence going against San Francisco (5-0). The 28-year-old went 4-3 in seven starts with Carolina over the past three years.
The Browns repeatedly have said Watson’s shoulder is structurally intact. The 28-year-old was expected to return following the team’s bye.
Bills, Giants hurting
The Bills placed linebacker Matt Milano and nose tackle DaQuan
Jones on injured reserve and signed linebacker A.J. Klein to their roster, continuing the process of reinforcing their injury-depleted defense.
Klein is a 10-year veteran who was signed off Buffalo’s practice squad. The 32-year-old is familiar with the defense after spending much of the past three seasons with the team, including closing last year with the Bills before being among the team’s final cuts in August.
Buffalo (3-2) is down three starters on defense, with cornerback Tre’Davious White out for the remainder of the season after tearing his right Achilles’ tendon 10 days ago. The Bills addressed their secondary by signing veteran cornerback Josh Norman to their practice squad.
As for the team they’re hosting Sunday night, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was held out of practice because of a sore neck and his status against the Bills is uncertain. Jones suffered the injury when was hit on a blind-side sack by Dolphins edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel in the fourth quarter and had to leave Sunday’s game.
“I’m not concerned,” Jones said. “I think this is something I’ll be able to recover from quickly. Like I said, my goal is to play on Sunday.”
Coach Brian Daboll was optimistic Monday that Jones would be able to play Sunday, but that hope waned when Jones was too sore to work out Wednesday.
Panthers streamlining
The Panthers have begun simplifying their offense for Bryce Young, honing in on the plays the rookie quarterback feels most comfortable with while also streamlining the play-calling process. The No. 1 overall draft pick is off to a rough start with the Panthers (0-5).
Young, who has started four of the team’s five games, ranks 25th in the league in QB rating (82.1). The Alabama product has thrown five touchdown passes and has turned the ball over six times
Colts QB out four weeks
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson will miss at least four weeks after the Colts put him on the injured reserve list. The former Florida star injured the AC joint in his right shoulder when he hit the ground awkwardly during Sunday’s win over Tennessee.
Five-year veteran Gardner Minshew will replace him as the starter at Jacksonville, where he first starred in the NFL. Minshew has led Indianapolis (3-2) to wins in two of three relief appearances and his only start, an overtime game at Baltimore.
Colts coach Shane Steichen did not set a timetable for Richardson’s return and would not say if he is expected to return this season.
Dolphins’ Achane on IR
The Dolphins are placing running back De’Von Achane on injured reserve after he suffered a knee injury late against the Giants. Coach Mike McDaniel did not confirm whether the injury will require surgery. He said it is not a “grave” injury and expects the rookie to return, but that won’t be before the Oct. 29 game against the Patriots . . . Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone’s parents are among about 50 people affiliated with a Naples, Fla.-based church that is still in Israel. His parents arrived in Israel on Oct. 2 and are expected to depart via Tel Aviv on Thursday, according to the Detroit News.