Browns’ Deshaun Watson respond to critics who believes he doesn’t want to play

Browns’ Deshaun Watson slams ‘not in the room’ offer, doesn’t want to return: ‘That’s bulls—‘

Deshaun Watson will miss his third game of the 2023 season on Sunday, leaving the Browns without a quarterback with a shoulder injury.
Watson told reporters Thursday that he did not know when he would be ready to return, but dismissed speculation that he did not want to play, saying his critics wanted to cause “controversy and panic.”

“Why don’t I want to play?” he said “I worked hard for two years to get back into the game, so why wouldn’t I?
I’ve been doing this since I was six.
Why don’t I want to play?
I see the same thing.
I look at this, that and the third story. All this is just to create controversy and fear.
I’m fine, I’m happy.
I’m not happy with my injuries. …
(But) Why do I do this?
Not a single representative of that nationality knows me.
They don’t talk to me.
This is all speculation.
If I couldn’t do that, all other nonsense would be nonsense.

Speculation about Watson’s desire to return (or lack thereof) may stem from the uncertainty surrounding his injury and the Browns’ offer. He initially battled a shoulder injury until Week 4, according to ProFootballTalk , but missing the game that week was a surprise even to his Browns teammates. His absence continued into Week 6 after a rest in Week 5 before he suffered a shoulder injury and left early in Cleveland’s Week 7 win.
“I felt like I had a chance to play during the week,” Watson explained Thursday.
“I didn’t have the energy to go out and play a full game.
…I don’t know if it was or not (it was detrimental to my recovery).
And last week I wasn’t 100% either. …
I thought I was ready.
I’m not ready yet. …
I wanted to come back, but it’s a team decision”.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters earlier this week that he sat Watson out for most of the Week 7 game to protect the QB.
But it’s unclear when Watson, in the second year of a $230 million fully guaranteed contract, will play again.
He reiterated the typical four-to-six-week timeline for a rotator cuff injury Thursday, but admitted it could be “longer” for him.
He added: “All I can do is control what I can control.” “Now it’s just rehab and I’m trying to get back as quickly as possible.
…I don’t know if it will stick or not.
…
We’re not in the space I need to be in.”

Meanwhile, the Browns are looking to veteran backup P.J. Walker gets a fresh start against the Seahawks.
He was originally signed to the practice squad before the season, but was officially promoted to the 53-man roster before Sunday’s game and is 2-0 in place of Watson this year.
Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the first player to replace Watson as QB1 this season.