Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson exited Sunday’s game against the host Indianapolis Colts in the first half, with coach Kevin Stefanski saying he held Watson out the remainder of the game to “protect” his ailing right shoulder.
Watson was evaluated for a concussion but the Browns said he cleared the protocol. The CBS game coverage, meanwhile, alluded to Watson exiting not long after he took a hit to his throwing shoulder late in the first quarter.
Watson was listed as questionable for the contest after missing the previous two games with a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder.
He completed just 1 of 5 passes for 5 yards with an interception before leaving. Watson was replaced by P.J. Walker, who guided the Browns to a 39-38 victory.
Stefanski declared after the game that Watson would be back for next week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
“He’s our starter moving forward,” Stefanski said. “He’s our starter in Seattle. I just — it’s always going to be my decision to protect our players.”
Watson, though, was less definitive about his status for next week. He said he was praying he did not injure his shoulder any further.
Watson accepted Stefanski’s decision to keep him out even after he cleared the concussion check.
“I want to compete. I’m a competitor,” Watson said. “I want to go out there and try to help the team as much as possible, and go out there and play and perform and compete. But the decision was best for the team and they felt that was the best, and P.J. did a great job of finishing the game.”
Walker was 15-of-32 passing for 178 yards and one interception against the Colts.
Entering the game, Watson had thrown for 678 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions in three games while getting sacked 12 times.
Running back Kareem Hunt, who was questionable with a thigh injury, also was active for the Browns (4-2). He scored the winning touchdown with 15 seconds left and also had a scoring run in the second quarter. Hunt had 31 yards on 10 carries.
Left tackle Braden Smith (hip/wrist) missed the game for the Colts (3-4).
–Field Level Media
