Browns Elevate P.J. Walker Ahead Of Matchup With Colts

Cleveland also signed RB Deon Jackson and elevated LB Charlie Thomas from the practice squad

With Deshaun Watson listed as questionable after practicing fully for the first time in nearly a month on Friday, the Cleveland Browns are once again prepared is Watson can't play against the Indianapolis Colts.

The team announced on Saturday afternoon that veteran quarterback P.J. Walker was being elevated off the team's practice squad for a second consecutive week. If Watson is unable to play for a third-straight game, Walker will get the start for Cleveland.

Last week, Walker completed 18 of his 34 passes, for 192 yards and two interceptions in that eventual 19-17 win over the 49ers. 

Per NFL rules, a team is allowed to elevate two players off the practice squad each week to the active roster and essentially carry 55 players on game day, without needing to make a corresponding move. Each practice squad player is only allowed to be elevated three times during the season though before he must be signed to the 53-man roster. In Walker's case, that means he can be elevated one more time, if needed.

Along with the promotion of Walker, the Browns also announced that they've signed RB Deon Jackson to the active roster off the practice squad – a move that could point to Kareem Hunt's status for Sunday being in doubt. Additionally, Cleveland elevated LB Charlie Thomas III to the active roster.

Jackson signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. Jackson appeared in 27 games, all of them with the Colts over the last three seasons. Last season he compiled 236 rushing yards with one touchdown through 16 games. In two games this season for Indy, he recorded 14 rushing yards and 14 receiving yards on five receptions. He's spent the last four weeks on the Browns practice squad.

Thomas, meanwhile, is in his first season out of Georgia Tech and was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent.