Browns Elevate P.J. Walker from Practice Squad

The Browns also elevated a wide receiver ahead of their Week 6 game against the 49ers

The Cleveland Browns' starting QB for Week 6 is no longer on the practice squad.

The Browns officially elevated P.J. Walker from their practice squad and plan to start him Sunday against the 49ers. WR Jaelon Darden was also part of the Saturday elevations.

Walker, who signed to the Browns' practice squad before the season, will replace Deshaun Watson as he continues to heal from a shoulder injury he suffered in a Week 3 win over the Titans. 

Walker leapfrogged rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the depth chart after Thompson-Robinson struggled mightily to command the offense in a Week 4 loss to the Ravens. He should give the Browns' offense a better chance to sustain drives against San Francisco.

Aug 19, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback PJ Walker (15) in the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Still, the Browns face a tall task in competing with the 49ers, who are one of two unbeaten teams left in the league. They own the NFL's second-best scoring offense and a top-ranked defense that has allowed a league-low 13.6 points per game.

Darden, meanwhile, could have an opportunity on the return team. He has yet to play in a game this year but has averaged 9.4 yards per punt return across three seasons. Donovan Peoples-Jones has been the only player to return punts so far this season and has averaged 6.3 yards per return.

Both Walker and Darden could revert back to the practice squad after the game, although the Browns might need to keep Walker on their active roster beyond Sunday if Watson needs to miss any more time.