The NFL quarterback carousel kept spinning on Wednesday, with Cleveland officially returning Deshaun Watson to its starting lineup and Arizona announcing that rookie Carson Beck will make his first career start. Minnesota, meanwhile, is preparing Kirk Cousins for a potential return to the field just days after acquiring him from Las Vegas at the trade deadline.
Why it matters
Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed that Watson will return after missing the overtime loss to New Orleans. Watson cleared the concussion protocol before that game but stayed inactive, allowing Shedeur Sanders to make another start. The return ends the uncertainty around the position, at least for this week.
In Arizona, the decision was forced by injury. Gardner Minshew suffered a serious elbow injury that threatens to end his season, and the Cardinals recently traded Jacoby Brissett to Baltimore. Beck now gets his first chance to lead an NFL offence, with receiver Michael Wilson ruled out for the rest of the season with a neck injury.
What happens next
In Los Angeles, the Rams clarified that star receiver Puka Nacua is expected to miss significant time without immediately going on injured reserve. Seattle ruled out Sam Darnold, with Drew Lock set to start against the Raiders, and the league is preparing for Thursday Night Football, where the Giants host the Washington Commanders.
The carousel will keep turning through the weekend. Cousins may start for Minnesota against Green Bay, Beck will be judged on his first start, and Watson has to show he is ready after the concussion. Week 11 is shaping up as a test of how quickly new quarterbacks can settle in.
The injury list across the league kept growing on Wednesday. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was a full participant in practice with a right elbow injury, after playing all 75 offensive snaps in the win over the Commanders. Outside linebacker Myles Garrett was limited after playing 37 of 62 defensive snaps in his return, when he had three sacks. Lamar Jackson is scheduled to undergo surgery on an injured right thumb and has told teammates he plans to return later this season. The Dolphins and Colts meet on Sunday with both teams remodelled by trades, and the injury report will decide as much as the game plan.
