Report: 49ers Won't Face Deshaun Watson When They Take on the Browns

Deshaun Watson has reportedly been ruled out of the matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 due to a shoulder injury.

What a nightmare for Cleveland Browns backup quarterback P.J. Walker.

Deshaun Watson has reportedly been ruled out of the matchup with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6 due to a shoulder injury, per Josina Anderson. Watson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, so while he hasn't been officially ruled out yet, it is imminent for that ruling to come. 

I’m told the #Browns QB Deshaun Watson will not play Sunday vs the 5-0 #49ers, per source.

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 12, 2023

Now the 49ers will get an easier outing with a backup quarterback in Walker. It should be easy for an elite defense such as the 49ers to suffocate the Browns offense and give little ground. However, the real challenge and threat of the Browns lies with their defense. So, while it is easier that a backup will start instead of Watson, the 49ers will still have their hands full with facing a monster defense in the Browns.

This could be a game in which the 49ers break their streak of scoring at least 30 points or more. Perhaps this even will be the game where Brock Purdy throws his first interception of the season. This is where the 49ers' defense can take advantage of facing the backup quarterback. It can help the offense should they find themselves in a tough battle with the Browns' defense. They'll have to make game changing plays by forcing fumbles and reeling in interceptions in themselves.

Facing Walker makes it a likelier chance that they will get those opportunities to make those plays. In fact, I am expecting it. Cleveland's offense doesn't have any real threatening weapons. Once Nick Chubb was lost for the season due to a knee injury, the Browns' offense lost any power they had. Only receiver Amari Cooper is a player who can do something, but he is receiving passes from a backup quarterback that will endure a bulldozing pass rush.

Week 6 against the Browns has all the makings for the 49ers' defense to carry the team to victory.