25 October 2023 , 21:02
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For Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson, the start to the 2023 campaign has been full of ups and downs. While the Browns are 4-2, Watson has battled injuries and recently dealt with criticism from a former quarterback in Brady Quinn.
On Foxsports Radio earlier this week, Quinn said: "Everyone with a medical opinion has cleared Deshaun Watson. The situation is almost similar to a kid getting a $230 million (£189.9m) trust fund. You ask them to get a job and they have no incentive to."
Quinn’s comments haven’t sat well with Watson’s camp, as his private QB coach Quincy Avery fired back on social media. On X/Twitter, Avery said: "Brady, I'm gonna be real. You don’t know what the f*** you are talking bout, and sit behind a microphone gossiping like a high school chick."
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The conversation eventually came to an end when Quinn made a reference to Watson’s off-field issues that led to his 11-game suspension last season. He said: "How about we massage this conversation and get it to a happy ending? Does that sound satisfactory?"
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The Browns quarterback sustained his latest injury on Sunday against the Colts. In Cleveland’s win, Watson left in the second quarter after being hit by Indianapolis defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo. He did clear a concussion test but he did not reenter the game. Watson had missed the Browns previous two games.
Deshaun Watson has struggled for fitness (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)Although Watson was hopeful that he would be able to suit up on Sunday, he was ruled out for Week 8 on Wednesday after an MRI revealed that there was residual swelling. According to the team, he has a strain in his subscapularis muscle. The strain causes pain and weakness in the rotator cuff.
For Watson, Quinn’s criticism comes as he has struggled to live up to high expectations. The Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson prior to the start of the 2022 campaign and then signed him to a five-year, $230 million, fully guaranteed contract. In six games with Watson under center last year, the Browns went 3-3.
Watson has recorded 683 passing yards in four games this season but has thrown three interceptions. He also rushed for 83 yards on 15 carries. In Watson’s absence, PJ Walker will start this week against the Seahawks.
When Watson has been unable to play this year, the Browns have relied on Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The duo have thrown for a combined 1,053 yards. However, they have struggled to take care of the football and have thrown more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (4).