All indications are that P.J. Walker will start at QB against 49ers
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
Two developments on Wednesday made the Browns’ quarterback situation curiouser and curiouser.
1. Deshaun Watson did not practice or throw competitively again.
So his “non-structural” shoulder injury, a bruise of the rotator cuff, which has repeatedly been characterized by the club as “day to day,” has now kept him out for 17 days.
“He continues to be day-to-day with this injury and we’ll continue to treat it,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “It’s all part of the rehab process with his injury. He’s working extremely hard. You know, he’s working around the clock and we’re just going to continue to take it day by day.”
2. Practice squad emergency quarterback P.J. Walker was elevated to QB2 ahead of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, making Walker the starter against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the increasingly likely probability of Watson missing his second consecutive game.
P.J. Walker would be the 36th quarterback to start a game for the Browns in their 25-year expansion era. (TheLandOnDemand)
Walker’s promotion comes after GM Andrew Berry said a week ago that DTR, after his unfortunate debut against Baltimore, would remain QB2. “Yeah, I don’t envision any major changes in the room,” said the man who traded Josh Dobbs and elevated the fifth-round draft pick to QB2 at the 53 cut.
So what changed?
“Just felt like it was the right decision for the team,” Stefanski said. “Think PJ’s been here now for a month-plus getting a better understanding of what we do, but just felt like it was the right decision for the team.”
Stefanski would not answer a question about if he would wait for a game-day decision on whether Watson can play. That strategy backfired in the Baltimore game. Thompson-Robinson disclosed on Wednesday that he was thrown for a loop when he was told the morning of the game that he was starting against the Ravens, even though he felt he prepared well during the week.
“It all hits you in the face when you find out a couple hours before and then you got to go out there and everybody’s expecting you to be ready to play,” he said.
So one thing Stefanski and his coaches learned was to make a decision on the starting quarterback as soon as possible.
That’s important for Walker, as it was for DTR, because Walker has not thrown to the Browns’ first-teamers until, well, Wednesday. He has been simulating opposing quarterbacks since signing on to the Browns’ practice squad on August 30.
The Browns erred with DTR by not formulating a game plan to suit him. He was asked to run essentially the same plan that was in place for Watson. DTR said he “would hope” the coaches would tailor some plays to him the next time he plays.
It appears the coaches want to see what Walker is suited to do on the practice field, and adjust accordingly. Nobody on the Browns’ coaching staff has a history with Walker, 28, who has 15 appearances and seven starts (4-3) with the Carolina Panthers. He also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears.
“I think with any player that’s in there, we want to make sure that we give them the best chance to succeed,” Stefanski said. “So with your quarterback you’re always trying to get them easy completions, get them in a rhythm, all those types of things."But that’s something that we work real hard during the week and make sure that we’re giving our quarterbacks stuff that they’re comfortable with. And I’ve told you guys before, there’s so many plays you can run, but you just want to run plays that your quarterbacks are comfortable with.”
I asked Stefanski if Walker’s NFL experience can be a comforting factor for the rest of the team, especially the offensive unit.
“Obviously, PJ is not 40, but he’s played in some games,” Stefanski said. “He’s been around a little bit. He’s played in different systems. So, he’s getting comfortable with what we do here. He’s got a great demeanor, great way about him. He fits in well with the team. But really, just if PJ does end up playing, you’re just looking for him to be the best version of himself.”
Walker would be the 36th quarterback to start a game for the Browns in their 25-year expansion era.
After all the investment the Browns made in Watson – the three first-round and three later-round draft picks, plus the $230 million guaranteed contract – and having to wait for him last year to serve an 11-game NFL suspension, who could have fathomed the Browns would need to start three quarterbacks by Game 5? And who could have imagined the third QB would be Walker?
Brownie bits
Left guard Joel Bitonio (ankle) and tight end David Njoku (burns to face and hand) did not practice …
On Monday, Stefanski said, “working through something right now with Joel.” On Wednesday, he said, “Doing better, so we’ll see how he goes throughout this week.” …
Njoku played valiantly against Baltimore two days after a fire-pit lighting accident, but “is not ready yet to participate in practice,” Stefanski said. “It’s a serious injury, as you guys know, so he’s working through it. We’ll see how this goes over the next couple of days.” …
Defensive end Myles Garrett (foot) was held out Wednesday as a precaution, the coach said.
