Dr. Chao Talks Deshaun Watson's Health & Long-Term Availability
Transcript
00:00 (upbeat music)
00:02 - But Dr. Chow, it's been an interesting few weeks
00:08 previously in Cleveland around the health status
00:11 of Deshaun Watson.
00:12 Of course, he did not play with an injury
00:15 to his right throwing shoulder for the past two weeks,
00:17 even after the bye, did not practice early last week
00:21 in anticipation of this game Sunday in Indianapolis,
00:25 but then came back, practiced, made the start yesterday,
00:28 scrambling outside the pocket, took a hit,
00:30 his head snapped back on the turf.
00:32 It looked as though he was in concussion protocol.
00:35 Dr. Chow, what do you think the status for Deshaun Watson
00:38 is moving forward as the starting quarterback
00:41 for the Browns?
00:42 - Well, he cleared concussion protocol for his head
00:46 and post-game he said the first time he went in the tent
00:49 was for his shoulder.
00:50 The second time was for the head
00:53 when the independent neuro then UNC saw the film
00:57 and brought him into the tent.
00:58 But he was clearly out of concussion protocol
01:03 because he would not be allowed to be on the sidelines
01:06 if he was ruled to have a head injury or in question.
01:10 So this had to do with the shoulder
01:11 and this had to do with coaching decision-making.
01:15 Kevin Stefanski said if PJ Walker got hurt,
01:18 Deshaun Watson was going back into the game.
01:21 So this became a coaching decision
01:23 after a one for five start and a pick.
01:26 And this is kind of what I said.
01:28 I thought the Browns wouldn't start Deshaun Watson
01:32 and I was wrong about this.
01:33 I thought they would not start Deshaun Watson
01:36 until they had a full week of practice
01:37 given what happened leading up to week four
01:39 and the surprise, so forth.
01:42 Yet they did and it was kind of a combo
01:45 hiding behind health, quick hook, hook.
01:47 Yeah, the shoulder may have been aggravated,
01:50 clearly wasn't 100%, but the Browns head coach says,
01:53 Deshaun's the starter on Wednesday
01:55 assuming he's healthy in terms of practice reps
01:58 and the starter still for the Browns going forward.
02:02 But I really think unless we get three full practices,
02:06 they're not gonna make that same mistake again.
02:08 They're gonna just tailor the game for PJ Walker
02:11 and try and do it on defense.
02:13 (upbeat music)
02:16 [MUSIC]