Quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns on Sunday face the Baltimore Ravens’ No. 2 defense — one that’s No. 1 in sacks (35) and points allowed (13.8). (AP photo)
BEREA — Deshaun Watson admitted Wednesday that he’s still not 100% from his strained rotator cuff and that he’s still working on it as he gears up for the Browns’ big showdown Sunday in Baltimore against the 7-2 Ravens.
“No,” he said in his weekly availability. “Every day it’s a work in progress. It’s a deal that I’m going to continue to have to work and focus on each and every day to make sure that I just try to get as strong as possible and as healthy as I possibly can.”
After Sunday’s 27-0 shutout of the Cardinals, he acknowledged that he wasn’t 100% during the game and “missed a couple of throws that I know I can make.” Working his way back from an injury that cost him three full games and most of a fourth, he made no promises that it will always look perfect Sunday against the Ravens’ No. 2 defense — one that’s No. 1 in sacks (35) and points allowed (13.8).
While feeling ‘very close to myself’ in his first full game since injuring the shoulder Sept. 24 against the Titans, it would be unrealistic to think he could miss that much time and just snap back to his former self. In addition to working through the pain, he’s had to adjust to absorbing blows again.
Even Kareem Hunt, who didn’t sign with the Browns until Week 3 and missed all of camp, admitted it took his body awhile to adjust to getting hit again.
“My biggest thing is just trying to be the best version I can be each and every day,” said Watson, when asked if he’s stronger heading into this game from being another week out from the injury. “I’m focused on just making sure that I’m staying healthy, doing whatever I need to do game-plan wise and then once we get out there and practice being able to try to execute the game plan.”
But just like after the Cardinals game, Watson, a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, downplayed his struggles on the shorter passes, especially in the first half when he left five or six of them short or wide. It looked like it might be another long afternoon for him, until he started hitting the long ball.
“There’s nothing about getting anything back,” Watson said. “It’s just connecting with the guys. That’s pretty much it.”
Likewise, Kevin Stefanski insisted he has no concerns about the off-target shorter throws, which mostly disappeared after the break.
“I really don’t,” he said.
Watson, who took about five big hits during the game and fell hard on the shoulder a few times, coaxed accurate deeps balls of 59 and 49 to Amari Cooper out of the sore arm — and heaved two other long passes that fell incomplete — but he’ll likely continue to have his ups and downs, at least for the next few weeks. Unfortunately for him, he has the Ravens and 5-3 Steelers back-to-back.
“It’s still a long season,” said right guard Wyatt Teller, who’s worked his way back from calf injuries the previous two seasons. “I learned that multiple times, but especially last year. Every week you’re just playing catch up. Let’s hope that he’s healthy, stays in there. We do a really good job of him not getting hit. Even though I thought we did pretty good last week, there’s a couple late hits there that you want to save.”
But Watson’s teammates know that even 80% of him is better than 100% of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson or P.J. Walker, who combined for eight interceptions and one lost fumble in their four appearances. Granted, Thompson-Robinson was put behind the eight ball when he faced the Ravens Oct 1, learning just 2 1/2 hours before the game, a 28-3 Browns loss, that he was starting and then not getting enough support in the form of a run game. But Watson is a three-time Pro Bowler who was acquired to win big games like these.
“We’re super excited,” cornerback Greg Newsome said. “Any opportunity to get 4 back is amazing. Obviously for him to come back last week, no one can say a thing, he threw the ball with velocity, he was able to make all the throws. To get him back is definitely super exciting for this game.”
Watson, 4-1 this season, knows he’ll have to be on top of his game against this formidable and physical defense. In addition to leading the NFL with 35 sacks, safety Geno Stone leads the league with six interceptions. They’ve allowed only 10 points per game at home, and 13 players have at least half a sack, including a team-leading 7.5 by defensive tackle Justin Madubuike.
“They’re disruptive upfront,” Watson said. “They make the quarterback hold it and make decisions that the quarterback probably didn’t want to or it’s overthrows, and they’re doing a good job in the secondary of capitalizing on that. So you’ve got to give them credit for doing that and they’ve been doing that very, very well. So we’ve got to make sure that we stay locked in on our Ps and Qs and make sure that the ball is getting into our receiver’s hands and not the other side.”
Watson, 1-2 lifetime against the Ravens — including a 13-3 victory last season when Tyler Huntley replaced an injured Lamar Jackson — will also have to contend with his former Texans teammate Jadeveon Clowney, who has 3.5 sacks and is second on the team with 11 quarterback hits.
“He’s another guy that’s on their defense that’s very disruptive,” Watson said. “He’s playing really, really well, playing, very confident. He looks healthy and when he’s healthy and playing with confidence, he’s one of the best D ends in the league. I’ve seen it on both sides, played against him before and I’ve played with him so I know exactly what type of person and player he is. He’s, in my eyes, one of the best disruptors in the NFL and you’ve got to make sure you’re watching out for him.”
With attack-minded defenders such as Kyle Van Noy (5.0), Patrick Queen (3.5 sacks), Roquan Smith and Clowney eager to wreak havoc, Watson will be without his starting left tackle in Jedrick Wills Jr., who’s on injured reserve and will miss about six weeks with his knee injury. What’s more, his starting right tackle in Dawand Jones is banged up this game, sitting out Wednesday’s practice with knee and shoulder injuries. His status for Sunday is in doubt.
It means swing tackle James Hudson III, who’s started seven NFL games, will start somewhere on the line, possibly at right tackle. But Stefanski will only say ‘we have options.’ Against this bruising bunch, he needs all the competitive advantage he can get.
“James is experienced, he can move, he can play right side, he can play left side, hell, he can play guard if he wanted to,” Watson said. “He’s played at every position outside of center and he’s a guy that understands this offense. He’s been here for a while and he’s motivated and he wants to get out there and prove that he can play at the top level and he’s just been working his tail off each and every day and he’s getting with Coach (Bill) Callahan and those guys and making sure that he’s locked in.”
Teller knows the challenge the line will have in trying to give Watson the time he needs to operate and get some of those dangerous deep balls to Cooper.
“Really talented front, really talented scheme,” he said. “They’re linebackers run the whole thing and you see how talented they are. Be able to execute when you need to, kind of capitalize on their mistakes. They don’t make many, but there are times where they might jump out of a hole trying to make the backside play and be able to block that out. So kind of keeping your head out of blocks, being able to see through things and play as a cohesive group.”
Besides, he noted, even though they’ve won four straight and are on a tear, the Ravens have lost games this season, one to the Colts and one to the Steelers.
“They’re not 9-0,” he said. “They’re a damn good team. I’m not saying that this is going to be a cakewalk, but they’re beatable and we’ve seen that.”
They hope to see it again on Sunday.
