MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

That contract is nearly as mind-boggling as Watson's.

 

Report: Deshaun Watson will not play Sunday

Deshaun Watson, who missed his third consecutive practice Thursday, will not play Sunday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

All signs were pointing that way.

The Browns quarterback has not had a full practice since Sept. 22, two days before he bruised the rotator cuff in his right shoulder on a run against the Titans. He was expected to play against the Ravens in Week 4 after limited practices, but after a workout three hours before the game, a decision was made to sit him.

Coach Kevin Stefanski initially said it was Watson’s decision not to play despite being medically cleared. General Manager Andrew Berry later clarified that it was a mutual decision between Watson and the team.

The Browns’ handling of the injury as well as Watson’s declaration before Week 4’s game that he was “OK” and would play has left Watson open for criticism. He has not talked publicly since.

Last week, the Browns had their off week.

“I would never, ever, ever doubt his toughness,” Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said, via Tom Withers of the Associated Press. “I’ve seen him play. I’ve seen him do some amazing things, fight through things. That is not the issue at all whatsoever. If I’m a running back and I can’t run full speed, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make it.

“I might be cleared medically, but I can’t operate with my strength, which is my legs as a runner, so same as a thrower for him. I would never, ever, ever doubt his toughness. He’s tough as nails. He’s a fierce competitor.”

Van Pelt had called Watson’s status for Sunday’s game against the 49ers “up in the air.”

“It’s not fun when your living is throwing the football and you can’t throw it how you’re used to throwing it,” Van Pelt said. “It’s tough. It’ll take some time, but when he’s ready, he’ll be ready to roll.”

P.J. Walker will start in Watson’s place, with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson serving as the backup. Walker made seven starts over three seasons in Carolina.

The Browns have not gotten their money’s worth out of Watson, who they signed to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. He missed 11 games last season to a suspension and now will miss his second game this season. He has played nine games in his time with the Browns.

PFT

 

Report: Deshaun Watson could miss multiple more games with rotator cuff contusion

Deshaun Watson will miss a second consecutive game — and third week — with a shoulder injury, and he could miss multiple more games.

Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports that the Browns quarterback was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff contusion. She adds that “it’s a deep contusion that presents or functions more like a strain.”

Watson, who injured his shoulder in the third quarter of the Sept. 24 game against the Titans, will not return to the field until he can throw normally and without pain.

Team doctors medically cleared him Oct. 1 with his shoulder structurally intact. The protocol now calls for rest and rehab with minimal throwing, according to Cabot.

Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Watson did some light throwing this week, but the coach offered no prognosis beyond this week.

The Browns initially believed the injury to be a bruise, which would have gotten him back in the lineup quickly. But when Watson tested his shoulder in a pregame warmup before the Week 4 game, he experienced significant pain and weakness in the arm.

The team now is taking a conservative approach in Watson’s return.

The Browns have not gotten their money’s worth from Watson yet. They traded three first-round draft picks to acquire him from Houston and then fully guaranteed a $230 million contract. He missed 11 games last season while suspended and has played only nine games in his career with the team.

Watson sat out the entire 2021 season, with the Texans making him a healthy scratch every week.

PFT

 

Well, I find it strange as hell this data comes out now after 3 weeks. Something is freaking a miss. Team Docs are apparently full of shit and the Coaches are yakking about shit they dont have good info on, so... whats next?

I hope PJ is a good.

 

@Willie, I suspect you're a victim of "THB" (Talking Head Bullshit).

• "Medically Cleared" means only that its unlikely that playing would exasperate an existing injury. It does not mean the player can perform at a satisfactory level. [see note]
• Stefanski fucked up by telling the media that Watson was medically cleared to play and then later announced that Watson himself determined he couldn't go. He failed to tell the media that neither the coaches nor the Browns' medical team can determine if a "medically cleared" player can perform at a satisfactory level - only the player can do that.
• If you recall, the same thing happened in 2021 with Baker Mayfield. He also had a shoulder injury (in his non-throwing shoulder), was "medically cleared" to play but he decided he could perform at an acceptable level. Turns out he was wrong. (His decision may have been influenced by him being in a contract year and led to the Browns' front office looking to upgrade the QB position.)

[note] My neighbor's daughter works at the University Hospital Sports medicine department. (She's already been assigned to the team that will administer Nick Chubb's rehab.) I was curious about the term "medically cleared" so, I asked her.

 

Thanks, Lyman... appreciate the input. I could sense a disconnect between Stefanski and Berry after the initial reports were released. I also thought it was a good thing that the OC came to Watsons defense and it may have smothered the flames that were trying to ignite into something.

If only the planets would align for the Browns... that defense is real and real good... get some consistency on offense and you have something.

 

C.J. Stroud can become the first QB ever with no interceptions in his first six starts

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is off to as good a start as any rookie quarterback in NFL history, and on Sunday he can add another to his list of historic accomplishments.

If Stroud doesn’t throw an interception Sunday against the Saints, he’ll be the first quarterback in NFL history with zero interceptions in his first six starts.

Stroud has already thrown 186 passes without an interception, the most passes without a pick for any quarterback to start his career.

And Stroud is just the fourth player — not rookie, but player — to begin a season with at least 1,400 passing yards and no interceptions in the first five games.

Before the 2023 NFL draft, the big question was whether Stroud or Bryce Young was the top prospect. The Panthers traded up to No. 1 overall to take Young, and that left Stroud to the Texans at No. 2. It’s way too early to say what kind of player Young will prove to be, but through five games, the Texans have to be absolutely thrilled that they ended up with Stroud. He looks like he’s going to be their franchise quarterback for years to come.

NBC

 

Report: Deshaun Watson could return next week at Colts

A strange situation regarding Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson keeps getting stranger.

A day after Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Watson could miss multiple more games with a contusion of his rotator cuff, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says that Watson could be back as soon as next weekend against the Colts.

The conflicting reports shouldn’t surprise anyone, since everything about the Watson injury has been swirling in conflict. He said two days before the Week 4 game against the Ravens that he would play despite the injury. When he didn’t, some in the locker room were surprised and dismayed, given that Watson said he would play.

The team then called Watson’s scratch as “collective decision.” Then, coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson had been medically cleared to play.

All we know at this point is that Watson won’t play on Sunday against the 49ers, as Cleveland emerges from its bye. For the Browns, the overriding question is whether Watson at some reduced percentage is better than one of his backups at 100 percent.

The situation invites extra scrutiny because Watson makes $46 million per year, with a contract fully guaranteed through 2026. Some would say, if he has been cleared, he should at least try to play.

Perhaps he will next weekend.

NBC

 

More THB

 

Colts QB Anthony Richardson strongly considering season-ending shoulder surgery

The Indianapolis Colts may have to wait until the 2024 season to see more of the promise shown by rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Richardson is strongly considering season-ending shoulder surgery on his damaged AC joint, sources say, with a procedure deemed by some as the best option to fully heal his right throwing shoulder. Richardson and Indianapolis sought four or five opinions on his shoulder, sources say, taking their time before arriving at this conclusion.

The good news from Richardson's MRI is that the labrum in his right shoulder is not torn. The ligaments, sources say, looked better than expected.

Richardson exited last week's game with a Grade 3 AC joint sprain, a serious and significant injury that landed him on injured reserve this past Wednesday. There was some thought initially that Richardson could rehab and attempt to come back before the end of the season -- and there is no harm in trying that for the time being -- but some reality likely has set in over the past few days as reactions and analysis came in.

Gardner Minshew, who finished up the 23-16 win over the Titans, will start Sunday for Indy against the Jaguars. One of the top backups in the NFL, Minshew is more than capable of leading the Colts.

Still, there is plenty of disappointment for Richardson, the Colts brass, coaches and everyone tied to the franchise. Before the season, there were visions of pairing Jonathan Taylor and Richardson together. Taylor is set to take on a larger workload against the Jaguars after spending the first four games on the physically unable to perform list due to an ankle injury.

Instead, the two likely were on the field together for one game.

The Colts have been through more than their share of QB injuries, with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck as the most notable. But they also want to take the lessons learned from Luck, who dealt with his own shoulder issues during his career, and use that moving forward.

That includes getting as many eyes on Richardson's shoulder injury as possible, taking their time before arriving at a decision and doing whatever due diligence that it takes to ensure a full recovery for the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

But based on the type of injury Richardson suffered, there is a strong belief that surgery is the best option. Thus, much of the discussion has been on how to get Richardson to a full recovery, which led to this potential procedure.

Richardson has thrown for 577 yards with three touchdowns in four games this season, with an additional 136 yards and four scores on the ground.

NFL.com

 

Giants work out quarterbacks Matt Barkley, Ian Book

With starting quarterback Daniel Jones still dealing with a neck injury, the Giants worked out quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Ian Book.

The Giants elevated Tommy DeVito from the practice squad Sunday night to back up Tyrod Taylor.

Barkley makes sense, having spent three years with head coach Brian Daboll when both were in Buffalo.

Barkley became a free agent on Sept. 1 when the Bills released him from injured reserve.

The Eagles made Barkley a fourth-round choice in 2013. After two years in Philadelphia he spent time with the Cardinals, Bears, 49ers, Cardinals again, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Panthers, Falcons and Bills again.

Barkley has started seven games in his NFL career and has thrown 11 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

Book has spent time with the Saints, Eagles and Patriots since New Orleans made him a fourth-round pick in 2021.

The Bills also worked out receiver Damiere Byrd among others.

NBC

 

Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is "probably" going to miss the remainder of the 2023 season due to his shoulder injury and could undergo surgery in the coming weeks, team owner Jim Irsay told ESPN's Stephen Holder on Monday.

"The most likelihood is he's probably going to be gone for the year," Irsay said. "I mean, it's not definite but [he] probably misses this year and we're going to have to contend with that factor."

Head coach Shane Steichen said earlier on Monday that the team was still gathering information and "working through the process," emphasizing that the 21-year-old's long-term health was their priority.

"We want to do what's best for him and this organization, you know, moving forward," Steichen said. "As we said, we'll make the decision when the time's right, and we're still evaluating that process."

Irsay's statement on the injury status was a much more decisive assertion than his head coach was willing to give, but there has still been no official word on Richardson's availability for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Before the injury, Richardson had started four games -- missing Week 3 with a concussion -- and led Indy to a 2-2 record. If his season ends here, his final stat line will be 577 passing yards and three passing touchdowns and an interception, along with 136 yards and four TDs rushing.

NFL.com

 

QB's getting banged up recently...

Anthony Richardson, probably out for the season.

Ryan Tannehill, high ankle sprain.

Trevor Lawrance, Knee.

Derrick Carr, shoulder/chest.

Justin Fields, thumb.

Jimmy Garoppolo, back.

Really some big names at other key positions also... its all part of the game/process.

 

Forgot to mention, Herbert and Purdy had their feelings hurt.

 

Trevor Lawrence participates in Tuesday practice with brace on left knee

There is some positive news on the injury front when it comes to Jacksonville’s starting quarterback.

Trevor Lawrence was on the field for the portion of Tuesday’s practice open to media, according to multiple reporters on the scene. Lawrence was wearing a brace on his left knee and participated in some individual drills.

Head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that the Jags could split practice reps between Lawrence and backup C.J. Beathard in preparation for Thursday’s contest against the Saints.

Lawrence is still scheduled to speak to the media on Tuesday afternoon, which is potentially another good sign for his availability.

But Jacksonville’s injury report will tell more of the story when it’s released later in the day. The Jaguars will have to make a designation for Lawrence’s game status on Wednesday, which is when the team is traveling to New Orleans.

PFT

 

Don’t forget, Deshaun Watson has a bruise on his shoulder… impossible to play with a bruise.

 

No Wednesday practice for Deshaun Watson

Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson spoke to the media on Wednesday, which was a possible indication that the quarterback is getting closer to a return.

But that may or may not actually be the case.

Watson won’t practice on Wednesday as the Browns begin their on-field preparation for the Colts.

“He’s making progress but we’re going to continue to treat that as day-to-day,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said, via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan.

Stefanski added that for now, Cleveland isn’t ruling out Watson for Sunday.

If Watson can’t play, Stafanski said P.J. Walker will again start at quarterback.

Earlier on Wednesday, Watson described his injury as a “micro-tear” in the rotator cuff of his right shoulder, adding that it’s “up in the air” whether or not he’ll play against Indianapolis.

NBC

 

Kyler Murray returns to Cardinals practice today

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is ready to practice again.

Murray announced on social media that he is practicing today, for the first time since he suffered a torn ACL on December 12.

For Murray, who has been on the physically unable to perform list all season, a return to practice does not necessarily mean he’s close to playing in games. But it’s an important step in that direction and good news for the Cardinals as they hope to see Murray get healthy, play at a high level and prove that he’s the franchise quarterback they thought he was when they signed him to a lucrative long-term contract a year ago.

The Cardinals are also opening the 21-day window for safety Budda Baker to begin practicing and return from injured reserve. Baker has been out since Week One.

Arizona is 1-5 and unlikely to make much noise this season, but the Cardinals have been a tougher opponent than many were expecting, and may be tougher still if the return of both Murray and Baker comes soon.

PFT

 

Richardson WILL have season ending shoulder surgery.