QB Watson questionable for game against Ravens
BEREA – Deshaun Watson is being listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens with a sore throwing shoulder.
He made just a couple of half-hearted tosses during the open portion of the Browns’ Friday practice, spending most of the time watching and talking with trainer Joe Sheehan.
It’s the third consecutive day Watson did little to no throwing in the 20 minutes or so of practice open to the media. He didn’t throw at all on Wednesday, then threw only a few passes during Thursday’s practice.
Rookie backup Dorian Thompsonrobinson took the reps Watson couldn’t and would make his first NFL start if Watson can’t play. The fifth-round selection in April’s draft out of UCLA made his NFL debut on the Browns’ final drive of this past Sunday’s 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans, a move that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said this week had no relation to Watson’s injury.
Watson sustained the injury, it’s believed, on a 10-yard run with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter, when he took a shot to his shoulder from Titans safety Amani Hooker.
It was one of a number of hits the quarterback has sustained this year. Watson has been sacked 12 times over the first three games.
Watson has also absorbed some shots Watson while running the ball, an important part of his skillset. He has carried the ball 15 times for 83 yards and a touchdown this season, including four times for 16 yards against Tennessee.
That win against the Titans was Watson’s best performance in nine starts with the Browns. He completed 27-of-33 passes for 289 yards with two touchdowns and a 123.4 passer rating.