Kevin Stefanski trusted his quarterback. With a chance to possibly seal a gritty win in Seattle on Sunday, Cleveland's coach turned to his starter — his franchise QB was standing on the sideline in street clothes nearby — to make the right play in the game's biggest moment. Stefanski had other, safer options.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play again this week with a strained right shoulder, a nagging injury that has already cost him three games and lingered much longer than expected. Coach Kevin Stefanski said P.J. Walker will start for Watson on Sunday when the Browns (4-2) visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-2). Stefanski made the announcement before Wednesday's practice, and said Watson won’t practice this week to focus on his rehab.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's playing status remains unclear after he left Sunday's game at Indianapolis in the first quarter in his return from a two-game absence with a right shoulder injury. Coach Kevin Stefanski offered few details Monday on Watson, who strained the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder on Sept. 24 against Tennessee. Stefanski did not address a specific question about whether Watson underwent more medical tests, saying the team was awaiting results “on a bunch of guys.”
For the second week in a row, the Cleveland Browns rallied in the fourth quarter and pulled out a thrilling, unexpected victory. Deshaun Watson just watched. After missing two games with a right shoulder injury, Watson started Sunday at Indianapolis but lasted only 12 plays, five pass attempts, one interception — and nearly a second — before Cleveland's quarterback either aggravated his strained rotator cuff or was kept out because coach Kevin Stefanski felt backup P.J. Walker gave the Browns a better chance to win.
Kareem Hunt and Myles Garrett flexed their muscles, P.J. Walker relied on true grit in place of Deshaun Watston and Dustin Hopkins' strong leg kept the Cleveland Browns kicking on all cylinders. To coach Kevin Stefanski, it was a perfect combination. Walker replaced injured quarterback Watson in the first quarter and directed a second straight fourth-quarter comeback, relying on Hunt's second score of the day with 15 seconds left to give Cleveland a 39-38 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.