Browns' Watson dismisses idea he doesn't want to play, unsure about return
Deshaun Watson is set to be sidelined for a third time in the Cleveland Browns' last four games, but the quarterback is refuting speculation that he isn't giving his best effort to return from a shoulder injury.
"This is what I've been doing since I was 6 years old, so why wouldn't I want to play? I see the same things, I see all the narratives ... all that stuff is just trying to cause controversy and emotion," Watson said Thursday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
"Physically, everything else is in a great space except my shoulder, so we're working hard to get that back, but why wouldn't I want to play? I don't do this for no other reason. I see that whole contract situation. And all that stuff is just for people to talk to, to create narratives," added the 28-year-old, who signed a fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $230 million in 2022.
Watson didn't play in Week 4 and, after Cleveland's Week 5 bye, also missed Week 6 due to a rotator cuff contusion. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said after Week 4 that the passer was medically cleared but chose to sit. General manager Andrew Berry later addressed Stefanski's comments, saying several people were involved in the situation and that it was an "easy" decision to keep Watson sidelined.
Watson returned for Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts but left the contest to be evaluated for concussion after taking a hit in the first quarter. He didn't return to the game despite clearing protocol, and Cleveland didn't give him an official injury designation.
Stefanski said postgame that he chose to keep the three-time Pro Bowler on the sideline to "protect our franchise quarterback."
"I thought I was ready. I wasn't ready," Watson said Thursday about his appearance versus the Colts, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. "I just didn't have the strength and things ... to be able to go out there and play a full complete game."
Stefanski initially said he expected Watson to face the Seattle Seahawks this week. However, the Browns recently announced that P.J. Walker will start Week 8.
"As soon as possible," Watson said when asked when he'll play again. "We just gotta go through the process again and rehab and get back with the docs and try to strengthen as much as possible and get the pain away and try to get back on the field as soon as possible."
Watson completed 63% of his passes for 678 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions while helping the Browns post a 2-1 record in this season's first three games. He served an 11-game suspension and played six contests in his first year with Cleveland after missing the entire 2021 campaign following his trade request from the Houston Texans.
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