The Cleveland Browns quarterback, who signed a $230 million contract, has been dealing with this injury throughout the 2023 season. Watson’s absence was marked by secrecy, as the Browns withheld information from the media. NFL insiders suggested he was fit to play, but he continued to remain on the sidelines. Furthermore, Cleveland didn’t allow Watson to participate in post-practice interviews.
Last Sunday, the situation took an unexpected turn when Watson returned to the starting lineup after three weeks on the bench. However, he left the game due to another injury. Initially, there were speculations of a concussion, but the Browns confirmed it was a recurring shoulder issue.
This week, the Browns announced that Watson would miss the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks due to the reoccurrence of his shoulder injury. Fans, media pundits, and even former players criticized both Cleveland and Watson, with some questioning his willingness to play.
Watson has now broken his media silence to provide his perspective, stating, “Why wouldn’t I want to play? I’ve worked tirelessly for two years to get back to playing, so why wouldn’t I want to play?” He acknowledged that he played through pain during the previous week and clarified, “I wouldn’t say I felt perfect on Friday. I was pushing through because I’m a competitor. I believed I was ready, even though I wasn’t 100 percent.”
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski explained that he removed Watson from the game to protect him. However, the ongoing confusion and speculation about Watson’s condition have not subsided. Despite the Browns performing well with a 4-2 record, the focus remains on a player who hasn’t completed a full game since September 24th. This situation has the potential to distract the team, and Watson’s clarification may only add fuel to the ongoing debate.
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