Deshaun Watson‘s recent injury update has thrown the Cleveland Browns‘ playoff hopes into disarray, raising significant concerns about the team’s performance for the remainder of the season. The uncertainty surrounding the severity of Watson’s shoulder injury and his return date has left the franchise in a state of suspense.
Walker’s previous performance this season has been somewhat of a roller coaster. Now the organization is left with the weighty decision of whether to prioritize Watson’s long-term health over their immediate playoff aspirations, a decision that will significantly impact their future prospects.
Deshaun Watson’s injury casts doubt
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According to a tweet by Adam Schefter, “Some clarity on Deshaun Watson’s injury: doctors told him that he has a strain of the subscapularis within the rotator cuff and he continues to have both pain and weakness with movement.” This type of injury is commonly associated with baseball pitchers and typically sidelines them for 4-6 weeks, suggesting a potentially lengthy absence for the Browns’ star quarterback.
Some clarity on Deshaun Watson’s injury: doctors told him that he has a strain of the subscapularis within the rotator cuff and he continues to have both pain and weakness with movement. This type of injury in baseball normally causes pitchers to miss 4-6 weeks. Watson continues…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2023
The severity of Watson’s shoulder injury remains a mystery, and his return date is uncertain. It was also said, “The severity of Deshaun Watson’s shoulder injury continues to be a mystery, along with how long he may be out for.” While ESPN notes the typical recovery time for a similar injury in baseball, NFL Network reports that the Browns are considering Watson’s status as day-to-day. This uncertainty adds to the team’s anxiety, as his presence in the upcoming game against the Seahawks is still undetermined after an MRI on Monday.
Read More: Deshaun Watson Injury Update – Terrifying Blow for Cleveland Browns’ High Expectations
The Browns have relied on Watson’s leadership, and the team is 3-1 in his starts. However, his injury has impacted his on-field performance, as evidenced by his completion rate, yardage, and touchdown-to-interception ratio. In the event Watson is unable to play, P.J. Walker is poised to start for the second time in three games. Walker’s previous performance, with zero touchdowns and three interceptions in three starts, raises further concerns for the Browns’ ability to maintain their playoff hopes in what is already a competitive NFL season. The team will undoubtedly be cautious about rushing Watson back, given the uncertainty of his recovery and the implications for their playoff aspirations.
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It’s a costly gamble on Deshaun Watson!
The Cleveland Browns made a big splash by signing Deshaun Watson to an eye-catching, fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. However, as we fast forward a year and a half into this deal, it’s clear that it may have been a costly mistake. Watson’s 2022 season ended up disappointing as the athlete faced an 11-game suspension due to allegations of misconduct. When he returned, his performance took a hit, with a career-low completion rate of just 58% over six games. This year things have gotten worse, with injuries and inconsistent play leading to him missing games and causing concerns about his long-term future with the Browns and the challenges of moving on from this contract.
In the short term, it appears that the Browns are stuck with Deshaun Watson’s expensive contract. Releasing him would lead to substantial financial losses, even with a post-June 1 designation. The earliest they could realistically part ways with Watson without major financial hits is in 2026, the last year of his deal. Finding a trade partner willing to take on both his expensive contract and the off-field issues linked to it is a major challenge. The decision to sign Watson to this extraordinary contract has significant consequences for the Browns, and their options for the near future are limited.
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