Browns rule Watson out, Walker to start

The Browns didn’t wait for Deshaun Watson to tell them he couldn’t play.

Two weeks after Watson surprised the team before kickoff by saying he couldn’t play with a shoulder injury, Cleveland officially ruled the quarterback out Friday and named P.J. Walker, currently on the practice squad, as the starter at home Sunday against the unbeaten 49ers. Walker, who signed in August, went 4-3 in seven starts over the past three seasons for the Panthers.

Watson, who unexpectedly sat out an Oct. 1 loss to the Ravens despite being medically cleared, didn’t practice at all this week with a bruise suffered on a running play against the Titans three weeks ago. He had been expected to return this week following the team’s bye, but he instead stayed inside the team’s facility for rehab.

The Browns started Dorian ThompsonRobinson against the Ravens and the rookie threw three interceptions in a 28-3 loss.

Browns All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio (knee) will also sit out, ending his streak of starting 102 straight regular-season games.

Panthers short vs. Dolphins

Chuba Hubbard will start at running back Sunday for the winless Panthers against the AFC East-leading Dolphins with Miles Sanders (shoulder) ruled out.

Sanders is one of five players who are listed as out for the Panthers. Safeties Vonn Bell (quad) and Xavier Woods (hamstring), guard Chandler Zavala (neck), and fullback Gio Ricci (shoulder) were also ruled out.

The Panthers will be extremely thin at safety against the high-powered Miami offense and coach Frank Reich said Matthias Farley will be added from the practice squad and is expected to start.

Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract — the largest deal given out to a running back in the offseason — started the team’s first five games. However, Hubbard has received 23 carries the last two weeks, three more than Sanders.

Eagles, Jets beat up on D

The Eagles and Jets will be without key defensive players when they meet Sunday.

Rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter, undefeated Philadelphia’s sacks leader, was ruled out with an ankle injury suffered midweek in practice. The ninth overall pick in April has 3½ sacks in his first five NFL games. Cornerback Darius Slay (knee) missed practice all week and safety Justin Evans (knee) was placed on injured reserve. On offense, receiver Quez Watkins (hamstring) will also miss the game.

For the Jets, cornerback D.J. Reed was ruled out for the second consecutive game with a concussion. Fellow corner Sauce Gardner also missed practice Friday with an illness and was listed as questionable, but coach Robert Saleh thought he’d be fine to play. Backup cornerback Brandin Echols and special teams ace Justin Hardee are out with hamstring injuries.

Giants’ Jones no-go for Bills

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will not play Sunday night against the Bills because of a neck injury.

Tyrod Taylor, who spent three seasons with the Bills, will start for New York, his first start since late in 2021 with Houston. Undrafted free agent Tommy DeVito either will be elevated from the practice squad or signed to the roster to be Taylor’s backup.

The Giants have given up a league-high 30 sacks, with Jones on the field for 28.

Ravens still without Oweh

Ravens outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) will miss his fourth straight game when Baltimore plays the Titans on Sunday at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Rookie running back Keaton Mitchell (shoulder) was the only other player on the injury list and is questionable to play.

Tennessee could have defensive tackle Teair Tart (toe) back a week after the Colts ran wild against it. Tart returned to practice and was listed as questionable.

Report: Kittle fined for taunt

The shirt worn by the 49ers’ George Kittle under his uniform in Sunday night’s win over the Cowboys earned the tight end a fine of $13,659 from the NFL, according to an ESPN report. Kittle revealed the shirt, with the wording “F--- Dallas” on it, after a teammate’s touchdown.