The Cleveland Browns are set to face the NFL’s elite this week as they welcome the San Francisco 49ers to Northeast Ohio. One of the major concerns, however, is the lingering shoulder injury of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Despite resting his shoulder against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4 and through the bye week, Watson was still not practicing outside with the team when they returned to the facility on Monday. This has caused the detectives on Browns Twitter to collectively raise their eyebrows.
We saw what it looked like when rookie backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was forced to take the field a week ago. The concern among the fanbase about the competitiveness of this team without Watson is in their tone and voices.
Buy Browns TicketsHere is the best of from Browns Twitter as the fanbase reels and responds to the jarring news that Watson is still not ready to roll despite two weeks off.
It’s insane how people are so bothered by this Deshaun Watson injury “drama”.
It’s pretty simple.
He has a contusion.
He didn’t want to play last week because he wasn’t 100%
You can be “cleared” and still not play.
He was inside rehabbing today.
The sky isn’t falling.
— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) October 9, 2023
Deshaun Watson at practice this morning after watching that 49ers pass rush last night pic.twitter.com/9kj39Ol4g3
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) October 9, 2023
It's really strange to go from highly confident Deshaun Watson would play on September 24th, to not practicing on October 9th.
Not here to panic, but If the problem persists, Andrew Berry should call Washington about Jacoby Brissett. pic.twitter.com/y1xGiygTTu
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) October 9, 2023
It’s been a very tough few years in sports where a shameless and cynical race to the bottom has taken place by a variety of orgs. for a variety of reasons. Don’t know if it lasts, but seeing Baker thrive and Deshaun Watson fall on his face has been a heartwarming counterbalance. https://t.co/8LtYNZRkMW
— Jake Louque (@jakelouque) October 4, 2023
Folks, Grossi reports that Deshaun Watson isn’t practicing with the team today, but Coach Kev has already prepared a package of 300+ trick plays and deep throws for whatever practice squad QB they utilize against the 49ers.
— Tony Pizza (@TheRealTPizza) October 9, 2023
If I were the Browns I would be negotiating a massive buy out of Deshaun Watson’s contract. Something isn’t right, never has been right.
Along with this, it’s a tear down. The house they built has a bad foundation.
— Angry Browns Fan (@AngryBrownsFan) October 10, 2023
Now they’re comparing Deshaun Watson’s injury to Greedy Williams injury.
— Marcus A Realist (@BrownsStoics216) October 10, 2023
Thinking of the position some of these other teams are in make me feel a lot better about the Browns. Our season comes down to the severity of Watsons shoulder injury
— Browns/Cavs Superfan (@BrownsLand_) October 10, 2023
2020 – COY
2021 – Baker shoulder injury
2022 – Suspension
2023 – Watson Shoulder injuryThink it’s only fair to give Kevin another year if this goes south. I’m not functionally ready to move on. 4D chess pic.twitter.com/ZjYWHomvGi
— TheKardiacXid (@TheKardiac_Kid) October 9, 2023
Not at all after seeing Stefanski’s heavy pass attempt game plan (that was meant for Watson) last week
I just pray that Watsons shoulder swelling went down and the adjustments that needed to be made during the bye week were made- if not we’re in for a long Sunday #DawgPound https://t.co/8pbv1FQn7f
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) October 9, 2023
I have this gut feeling that Watson’s shoulder is gonna linger all season. And it’s his throwing shoulder which is worse than Baker’s #DawgPound
— Jackson McCurry (@JackMcCurry08) October 10, 2023
The Deshaun Watson injury play against the @Titans 👀
His shoulder is messed up more than they’re saying 🤯
Watch video below ⬇️ #Browns x #NFL pic.twitter.com/kl0RbiEz7J
— BROWNS OR DIE 💀 (@BrownsorDie) October 10, 2023
Maybe people are worried Watson’s injury will have the Rowengartner effect on his shoulder and he’ll throw the rock TOO hard
Idk
— CLEology (@_CLEology) October 10, 2023
Call me crazy but do you guys think Watson watched that same 49ers game we all did and said “nah, one more week and then I’ll come back”? Maybe he doesn’t like that as the return game. Maybe the shoulder still “hurts” he says. How would we ever know? 🤔 @KenCarman @SportsBoyTony
— Nick (@ChubbyChub216) October 10, 2023
Watsons shoulder injury is looking a little worse than we thought..
— Barry (@BarryMeDead1) October 9, 2023
So if I'm following everything correctly:
The Browns kicked a QB to the curb with a shoulder injury only to mortgage their future for a QB who now has a shoulder injury.
Someone get me a beer. pic.twitter.com/4TadqHcCjj
— John (@JohnHillbery) October 9, 2023
No Browns trade rumors until we can get the nerds to confirm or deny that the QB has a fully functioning shoulder rn
— Viva Las Vegan, Baby Deliverer, group chat villain (@BeLikeMike_06) October 10, 2023
But this time it’s the Browns QB’s throwing shoulder… where’s the alcohol https://t.co/HosrnoarjJ
— Jeff-LJ-Lloyd (@Jeff_LJ_Lloyd) October 10, 2023
So that Watson Shoulder injury is worse than they think! I knew dat shit would be bad! He probably gone miss at least a month! They not gone tell y’all dat tho #Browns
— SKREALO (@SportzSpliffz) October 10, 2023
I'm sick of shoulder talk with this Browns team.
— 𝐑𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 (@rob_shank) October 10, 2023
Cleveland Browns fans in the Shoulder Wars! #Browns pic.twitter.com/mPZfBNTm9f
— Guardians of the Tribe (@75yearstoolong) October 10, 2023
The Deshaun Watson shoulder injury situation is getting strange.
I might have missed something but I haven't even seen a report of him having an X-ray yet.
I remember the reporting on Baker's shoulder not making any sense and it seems like the same thing is happening.#Browns
— Nacho Donut (@NachoDonut) October 9, 2023
Wait…a QB we spent one 1st round picks on was able to play with a shoulder injury, but the one we spent three 1st round picks on can't go?
— Cooper 🦇 (@DevilDawg78nSC) October 9, 2023
Look I get it … but soon needs to be SOON otherwise he’s had 2 weeks off and will be playing on very little preparation on a shoulder he barely trusts
This flat out sucks https://t.co/GtHPZ7CPfg
— 📽+🏈x🌴 (@HawaiiBrownsHui) October 9, 2023