Deshaun Watson has had an up and down year in his first full season as a member of the Cleveland Browns. The three-time Pro Bowler has been in and out of the lineup, playing just three full games and a couple of series’ in one other. Despite this, Cleveland is 4-2 on the strength of a defense that ranks tenth in opponents points per game, first in opponents yards per game, first in opponents passing yards per game and seventh in opponents rushing yards per game.
The Browns will be without their star quarterback once again in Week 8 as head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Deshaun Watson will be sidelined, with P.J. Walker set to get the start in his place. Speaking to the media following Wednesday’s practice, the fourth-year coach stated:
P.J.’s going to start this week. Deshaun’s going to focus on his rehab. I just feel like with what happened in the game, landing on his shoulder, there’s residual swelling that’s affecting his throwing. I think it’s the best thing for him to rest this week and focus on the rehab. And, you know, as I’ve told you guys, I will always make what I think are the best decisions for our football team, for Deshaun, and I feel like this is the best decision for this week.
Check out Cleveland Browns’ head coach Kevin Stefanski’s comments on Deshaun Watson’s Week 8 availability here.
Following Cleveland’s 39-38 Week 7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, which Deshaun Watson left due to an injury and was replaced by P.J. Walker, Kevin Stefanski claimed that the three-time Pro Bowler would start against the Seahawks in Week 8. It is unclear what led to the change in Watson’s status, however, the Browns appear intent on ensuring that he is fully healthy when he does make his return.
How has Deshaun Watson performed during his Cleveland Browns tenure?
Deshaun Watson was among the best quarterbacks in the league during his time as a member of the Houston Texans. In four seasons, which included a rookie season where he played sparingly, he made the Pro Bowl three times, including 2020, when he led the league in passing yards. Watson finished his Texans tenure with 14539 passing yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions. He completed 67.8% of his passes while adding 1677 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 307 carries.
Following the 2020 season, Watson requested a trade. However, nothing materialized as he entered a standoff with the organization. He was ultimately accused of sexual assault and wound up sitting out the entire 2021 season. After resolving the allegations, he was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns, along with a sixth-round draft pick, for three first-round draft picks, one third-round draft pick, and two fourth-round draft picks. Watson subsequently signed a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract extension.
After serving an 11-game suspension to begin his Browns tenure, Deshaun Watson looked rusty over the final six games of last season. He finished the year with 1102 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. Watson completed 58.2% of his passes, the lowest mark of his career while adding 175 rushing yards and one touchdown on 36 carries.
He has struggled to stay healthy in 2023 and has thrown for 683 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. Watson has completed 61.7% of his passes while running for 83 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.