Kevin Stefanski on Chances Deshaun Watson Plays Against Ravens: "I'm Hopeful."
Deshaun Watson had the best game of his career with the Cleveland Browns in defeating the Tennessee Titans, but he suffered a hit on his throwing shoulder, which has limited his ability to practice all week. Friday, the team listed Watson's status as questionable.
In Kevin Stefanski's press conference, he was asked if his quarterback would play against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and simply replied, "I'm hopeful." The media has not seen Watson throw at all this week, though Stefanski insisted he has taken reps with the ones at points this week.
If able to play, Watson would also wear some kind of shoulder harness to help protect him. The injury came on a quarterback counter in the red zone against the Titans where Watson took a direct hit from a defensive player's helmet into his throwing shoulder. He not only finished the drive, but the game and played at a high level.
That might seemingly suggest that Watson's throwing wasn't limited terribly by the injury. Nevertheless, according to Stefanski, he's only done some light throwing this week and they've been cautious with him up until this point.
When asked about the possibility of Dorian Thompson-Robinson needing to play, Stefanski said, "All of our backups have to be ready to play. It's just the life of a backup. quarterback, backup linebacker, backup anything, you have to prepare yourself to play. He's prepared just like everybody else. Gotta be ready to play."
The bye week for the Browns comes after this game. Depending on the severity of the injury, that may impact how the Browns proceed. If he can tough it out and the two weeks is enough to get him healthy, they may go ahead and play through it. If avoiding contact this week plus the bye week will have him fully healthy for the San Francisco 49ers, that may be their best path forward.
Watson has rarely missed games in his career, so much like Sunday and the other two games the Browns have played, he will likely do everything he can to play through it. There have been at least two instances where Watson has been doubled over in pain and kept playing. In fact, he played better after the hit.
Watson told Mary Cabot of cleveland.com that he expect to play against the Ravens.
Robinson was asked about the possibility of playing.
Whether it's Watson or DTR, a win against the Ravens would mean a 3-1 record and at least a share of first place heading into the bye. A loss would not only mean being 2-2, but a loss to both the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers within the division.
