Sometimes the answer is right under your nose.
Sometimes, he’s not even on your active roster.
But on Wednesday, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski did what a lot of NFL reporters believed he would: he named P.J. Walker the starter at quarterback for Sunday’s game at Seattle.
And why not? Walker has helped the Browns win the last two games, a home game over the San Francisco 49ers, and a 39-38 squeaker at Indianapolis last week, which was scrutinized by many for late-game officiating.
Still, Walker helped Cleveland win the game. And Deshaun Watson is apparently not able.
Watson, who had an MRI after the Browns’ win at Indianapolis, hasn’t played since being hurt in week three against Tennessee after straining a rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. Watson began the Colts game as the starter but was hit by Dayo Odeyingbo, and left the game when it was still in the first quarter.
Since signing a five-year, fully-guaranteed contract for $230 million, Watson hasn’t been persona non grata, but it’s been close. This season, Watson (listed as four total games, but it’s not quite four complete games), has completed 66-of-107 passes (61 percent) for 683 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Stefanski said since Sunday that the MRI was good news for Watson – no further damage – but that Watson had some swelling. Stefanski insisted this wasn’t a case of Watson just laying out.
“I feel like this is the best decision for this week,” Stefanski said. “He’s trying like crazy. This is not for lack of effort. He’s making every effort he can to be out there. But with the hit he took, with the swelling, it makes the most sense to focus on rehab this week and then he’ll be out there as soon as he’s ready.”
In the win over the Colts, Walker was 15-of-32 for 178 yards and a pick. Total this season, Walker is 33-of-66 for 370 yards, and three interceptions.
He wasn’t even on the active roster when he played last Sunday! The Browns added him to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.
If the Browns have to resort to a back-up, that would be rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, from UCLA.
