Browns QB Deshaun Watson resumes practice ahead of Cardinals game

The starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns is making a limited comeback to practice as they get ready for their home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Deshaun Watson, who suffered a rotator cuff injury in Week 3, spent the previous week indoors working on his medical rehabilitation regimen. This week, he returned to practice. He missed three complete games and the majority of the Colts game two weeks ago due to the ailment.

Watson practiced throwing at different lengths, but he also worked out with P.J. Walker, the backup quarterback the Cardinals will face on Sunday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Watson has been wearing kinesiology tape to brace his throwing shoulder since the injury, but it didn’t look like he had any on. The Browns are being patient, but his return to practice and lack of shoulder assistance look encouraging that he’s making progress toward a return to full game action.

“As one might expect. I generally just keep things on a day-to-day basis, so let’s concentrate on today. We’ll watch him out there and see how he does,” Stefanski remarked.

Watson’s journey to recovery is not an isolated one. While Watson returned to practice, several other important players missed the day as they recovered from their own injuries. Other Browns players are also struggling with injuries.

The Browns pre-practice injury report listed defensive end Alex Wright, wide receiver David Bell, right lineman Dawand Jones, and cornerback Greg Newsome II as non-participants. Bell is battling with a knee problem, and Newsome left the Seahawks game due to a groin injury. Jones was forced to leave last week’s game due to a shoulder injury, and Wright was forced to depart due to a knee injury.

In order to determine the extent of each player’s injury and whether or not they will be available for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, Stefanski is still expecting more information on all four players.

Za’Darius Smith, the defensive end, was also absent from practice on Wednesday. Smith had X-rays done following the Seahawks game. Stefanski acknowledged that Smith was recovering from a neck ailment but insisted it was just rest.

The Browns will try to get stronger over the week in the hopes that not too many of their important players will be forced to miss the game when they try to win at home on Sunday to avenge their devastating road loss to the Seahawks.