Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is under scrutiny once again for choosing to sit out last Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
What is most head-scratching is the fact that he was medically cleared to play.
Despite it being a vital AFC North divisional game, the $230 million quarterback decided not to play.
Sure enough, the Browns suffered a 28-3 blowout loss to the Ravens, prompting questions about Watson’s absence.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Deshaun Watson had received medical clearance to take the field, but ultimately, the quarterback opted to stay on the sidelines.
Stefanski came to Watson’s defense, but not everyone shares his perspective.
Browns reporter Jason Lloyd shed light on the growing discontent within the team, stating: “Some Browns players were kind of aggravated he didn’t play, especially after he told everybody all week he was playing.”
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧:
Some of the #Browns players were "aggravated" that QB Deshaun Watson did not play on Sunday.Watson told his teammates all week that he would play and at 10:30 on game-day decided he couldn't go.
The #Browns ended up playing a 5th round rookie and lost badly. pic.twitter.com/F0MgOiNFgv
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) October 4, 2023
This unexpected development provided an opportunity for rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to make his pro debut in place of Watson.
The former UCLA Bruins star quarterback faced a daunting challenge, completing 19 of 36 passes for 121 yards, with three interceptions. Thompson-Robinson also rushed four times for 24 yards during Sunday’s game, which ended in a resounding defeat for the Browns.
Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round pick out of UCLA, found himself in a challenging situation as he attempted to fill Watson’s shoes during his regular-season debut.
With the Browns currently on their bye week, Watson should be good to go when they return to action in Week 6.
However, the fact that he didn’t fight through his injury is a bad look, especially when you look around the league and see how many players are playing through injuries worse than his.
Say what you want about Baker Mayfield, but you know damn well he would have been out there.
What do you think of Watson’s decision to skip the game?