Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will start against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday.
.@deshaunwatson will be our starter on Sunday pic.twitter.com/2Q3oHrWGt5
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 3, 2023
Watson missed Week 8 with a shoulder injury that he re-aggravated in Week 7 but returned to practice this week in a limited capacity. He took all the first-team practice reps during the open media session Friday and wasn’t listed on the team’s daily injury report.
Stefanksi added that Watson had a really good week of practice.
#Browns QB Deshaun Watson throwing on Friday: pic.twitter.com/vDhkOL9cco
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) November 3, 2023
Watson’s return should be a boost for the Browns, who’ve leaned on P.J. Walker in the previous two games since Watson left with a shoulder ailment. Walker led the Browns to a close win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 and a close loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8.
Watson, though, hasn’t played particularly well this season. He’s completed just 61.88 percent of his passes for 683 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. However, he’s missed three full games with his shoulder injury and only attempted six passes before being knocked out of Week 7. Watson’s best performance came in a Week 3 drubbing of the Tennessee Titans where he threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in a 27-3 win.
In Week 9, Watson and the Browns will face a Cardinals defense which has allowed the fifth most offensive yards, the 10th-most passing yards and the third-highest completion percentage for quarterbacks. If there was ever a get-right game, it’s this one.
