The Cleveland Browns have announced that their franchise quarterback, Deshaun Watson, is being placed on injured reserve and set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. In light of the news, Browns general manager Andrew Berry expressed confidence during his press conference that the other players in the quarterback room will fill the void left by Watson.
While noting that the team is "devastated" by the Watson news, Berry was quick to move on to the next topic of discussion: Who will be the one to replace Watson moving forward? Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be the team’s starter in Week 11 as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Berry is embracing the next-man-up mentality, saying: "We feel good about the [quarterback] room… it’s football. Guys do get hurt playing it. We’re going to move forward with the room and continue to win games."
Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker have started games in place of Watson this season, with the latter faring better in his time as the team’s starting quarterback. With that in mind, it is interesting to see the Browns commit to their rookie third-string quarterback moving forward over Walker when the team is 6-3 and firmly in the mix of the AFC playoff picture.
In addition to expressing confidence about the current players in the quarterback room, Berry said that the Browns "will add a quarterback at some point in the near future."
