P.J. Walker Set to Add to Long List of Browns Starting QBs since 1999

The Browns are reportedly starting Walker in Week 6 due to the shoulder injury to Deshaun Watson

The list of QBs the Cleveland Browns have started since the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999 is set to include another name Sunday against the 49ers.

P.J. Walker is the next entry. The 36th one, to be exact.

Walker, who was signed to the Browns’ practice squad five weeks ago, will reportedly start for them in Week 6 due to the shoulder injury to QB Deshaun Watson, who didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday and is set to miss his second straight game. Walker is still on the practice squad but is expected to be elevated to the active roster before the game.

Walker is not only replacing Watson but also relieving rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson of backup duties. Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick out of UCLA, didn’t generate many sparks when he started in place of Watson in the Browns’ 28-3 loss to the Ravens in Week 4 and threw three interceptions, forcing the Browns to swap him with Walker on the depth chart.

When Walker takes his first snap Sunday, it will mark the 10th time the Browns have started three different QBs in a season since 1999.

Dec 19, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker (6) warms up prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Walker has started seven career games and owns a 4-3 record. He last played in Week 10 for the Panthers last season and was released after training camp this year by the Bears, who opted to keep undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent and Nathan Peterman as backup QBs to Justin Fields. The Browns signed Walker to their practice squad three days later.

Watson’s absence will push the uncertainty of the severity of his shoulder injury back another week. Watson wasn’t initially expected to be sidelined long when he suffered the injury while taking a hit in the Browns’ Week 3 win against the Titans — he was listed as a limited practice participant in the days leading up to Week 4 matchup and told teammates he would play against the Ravens.

When Watson decided not to suit up after testing the shoulder in pregame warmups, Stefanski told reporters after the loss that he expected Watson to return against the 49ers and that “having the bye helps.”

Watson, however, has yet to practice with teammates this week, so it’ll be Walker who will lead the Browns into battle against the NFL’s third-ranked defense.

He’ll add his name to an infamous list in the process.