The Cleveland Browns are dealing with a couple significant injury issues heading into their Week 6 matchup with the 49ers.
While San Francisco’s Wednesday practice report was mostly clean, Cleveland’s had a couple of their biggest names listed as non-participants.
Neither quarterback Deshaun Watson nor defensive end Myles Garrett took part in Wednesday’s session. Watson is dealing with a shoulder injury that kept him out of Cleveland’s Week 4 loss to the Ravens.
Watson’s status for Sunday’s game is unknown. He suffered his shoulder injury in Week 3 and was cleared by Browns team doctors to play in Week 4, but he opted not to play in the game after the team listed him as questionable. Cleveland had a bye week in Week 5, but Watson is still not recovered enough to practice.
His status will be clearer based on whether he participates at all Thursday.
For Garrett there doesn’t appear to be any long-term issue. Head coach Kevin Stefanski called it a precautionary absence for his star defensive end.
Tight end David Njoku was out of practice due to severe burns on his face and hands that came from an accident with the fire pit at his home. He did play in Week 5 though which would indicate he’ll play in Week 6 barring some kind of setback.
Browns start guard Joel Bitonio is dealing with a knee injury and didn’t practice. He exited the team’s Week 4 loss to the Ravens on crutches. Wide receiver Amari Cooper got a rest day.
Cleveland also listed running back Jerome Ford and center Ethan Pocic as limited. Ford has a knee issue, while Pocic has chest, knee and foot injuries he’s dealing with.
