A thrilling 33-31 victory for the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens was somewhat marred by the sight of QB Deshaun Watson in a walking boot after the game. Watson did not seem overly concerned, but that's a story Browns fans have already heard this season.
Watson told reporters after the game he didn't feel great, but assured them “I’ll be fine,” per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. He expressed confidence he'd be ready for next Sunday's crucial tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cleveland's QB has been battling injuries all season. He's missed most or all of four games so far. The messaging around his injuries has also raised eyebrows.
Watson missed the Browns' fourth and fifth games of the season. He returned to the lineup in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts, but left that game in the first quarter. The reason why he left was somewhat unclear.
After a trip to the blue medical tent, Watson was cleared after undergoing a concussion evaluation. But coach Kevin Stefanski kept his franchise quarterback on the sideline anyway. Watson then missed the team's next game against the Seattle Seahawks before returning to the lineup in Week 9's win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite an uneven performance, Watson delivered when Cleveland needed him most on Sunday. He engineered a 12-play, 58-yard drive with the Browns behind 31-30.
The drive, highlighted by a 17-yard strike to WR Amari Cooper right before the two-minute warning, got the Browns into range for Dustin Hopkins to nail a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give Cleveland the W.
The Browns' defense makes them a legitimate contender. But the team will need Watson healthy and in the lineup to compete with the top teams in the AFC. His confidence aside, the image of Watson in a walking boot is a worrying sign.
It's certainly one to watch throughout the week.
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