NFL Rumors: Browns 'Hopeful' Deshaun Watson Returns from Shoulder Injury in Week 9

The Cleveland Browns are hopeful that Deshaun Watson will return from a right rotator cuff strain as soon as next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, but he still remains "week-to-week," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"The sense out of Cleveland is that Deshaun Watson didn't reaggravate his shoulder injury in a significant way last week against Indianapolis, but since it hasn't fully healed, he remains week-to-week," Fowler wrote. "The Browns are hopeful he can return as soon as next week, but that's not a slam dunk."

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously provided some clarity on Watson's injury last Tuesday, writing: "Doctors told him that he has a strain of the subscapularis within the rotator cuff and he continues to have both pain and weakness with movement.

"This type of injury in baseball normally causes pitchers to miss 4-6 weeks. Watson continues to work to regain strength and velocity in his shoulder and shorten that window."

Watson suffered the injury on a running play during a 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 24. He returned last Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts but left the game in the first quarter after taking a hit from Dayo Odeyingo to his right shoulder just after firing a pass downfield.

Watson was also checked for a concussion but cleared the protocol.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said postgame that it was his decision to not put Watson back in the game.

"I just felt like I wanted to protect him. I did not want to see him get hit," Stefanski said. "He was hit hard and I know he cleared all that, but I just [felt] I've got to protect him."

P.J. Walker, who took over for Watson, will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Watson told reporters this week that his shoulder "wasn't right" during the Colts game.

Watson got off to a rough start early on, completing just 1-of-5 passes for five yards and an interception before exiting. For the season, he's completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 683 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Watson was held out of practice all week as he continued to recupterate.

In his place, Walker has completed 33-of-66 passes for 370 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who started one game for Watson after his injury before the Browns decided to start Walker, will serve as the backup.

Kickoff at Seattle is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday.