Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson not practicing Wednesday

Cleveland is preparing for Deshaun Watson's absence against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, as the Browns starter continues nursing a shoulder injury

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson began the week  with a "did not practice" designation on the team's Week Six practice report.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the news Wednesday prior to the team taking the practice field, continuing to call the former Texans QB "day-to-day." 

Stefanski noted that Watson was spending his time at the facility rehabbing, but that he would do "some throwing," as well.

"With injuries you just have to treat each one specifically and with this one that's what we're doing," Stefanski said of the situation. "We're just taking in information from our medical staff from Deshaun and making sure we're making the right decisions with everything." 

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) watches from the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The "rotator cuff contusion" Watson is dealing with came back on Sept. 24, during the Browns 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans. In the week that followed, the 28-year-old progressed from not being able to lift his arm, to attempting to throw a couple passes late in the week. 

Normally, minimal throwing at a Friday practice would be a major red flag, but Watson vehemently told his teammates he was going to play against the Baltimore Ravens that weekend. The team seemed equally prepared for that outcome as well, come Sunday morning. The Browns medical staff ultimately cleared Watson to play, but a pregame exposed that he couldn't effectively do his job.

For the ailment to still be hindering Watson over two weeks since it was sustained, has left the organization susceptible to plenty questions about the severity of it and how long it could keep him off the field.

Asked if this could be a situation where Watson enters Sunday as a game-time decision against the San Francisco 49ers, Stefanski simply said he wasn't thinking past Wednesday.

"Any injury – ankle, knee, shoulder – you have to be able to do your job," the Browns head man said. "You have to be able to function and be able to do all the things asked of you to play your position. Watson needs to continue to rehab and get to a place where he can do your job at a high level.

"A quarterback, dealing with this type of injury you want to make sure he can drive the football and make all the throws."

While Watson's status remains in limbo midway through the week, Stefanski confirmed that veteran PJ Walker would be the next man up if the Clemson product is unable to perform.