Colts vs. Browns final injury report, DeShaun Watson availability heading into NFL Week 7
The Indianapolis Colts host the Cleveland Browns in NFL Week 7 action (1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS). The teams have similar records, but the vibes surrounding each are markedly different.
The Colts (3-3) are coming off a blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that cost them a key potential tiebreaker in the AFC playoff race. Gardner Minshew struggled (3 interceptions) and Indianapolis was playing from behind after giving up two touchdowns in a span of 16 seconds early in the second quarter.
The Browns (3-2) rode reserve quarterback P.J. Walker (the same guy who was a preseason star with the Colts a few years back), four Dustin Hopkins field goals and a stifling defense to hand the San Francisco 49ers their first loss.
Colts-Browns storylines
∎ The Colts are 2-0 coming off of losses, and the Browns are 0-2 following wins.
∎ Cleveland ranks No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed (200.4), passing defense (121.4), opponent completion percentage (51.9) and opponent 3rd-down conversions (23.1%). The Browns are 2nd in sack percentage (getting to opposing QBs on 10.1% of dropbacks).
∎ The Browns are careless with the ball and, at times, undisciplined. They commit 2.4 turnovers per game (most in the NFL), are last in turnover margin (-1.6) and 30th in penalties (committing 7.6 per game for 66.2 yards).
∎ The Colts rank in the lower third of the NFL in points (25.3) and yards (357.2) allowed. Opponents commit the fewest penalties against the Colts (4.2 per game).
∎ The Colts are missing a critical defensive player. Lineman Grover Stewart was suspended for six games this week for violating the NFL's PED rules.
Will DeShaun Watson play vs. Colts?
It appears so. The Browns quarterback missed two games with a deep rotator cuff contusion, but he was a limited participant in Thursday and Friday practices and is listed as questionable.
More: Colts will face Myles Garrett without Braden Smith
Colts injury report
Colts who are out: T Braden Smith (hip) and TE Kylen Granson (concussion); questionable: WR Alec Pierce (shoulder); full participation Friday: CB Tony Browns (back).
The Colts announced Wednesday that quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) will have season-ending surgery.
Browns injury report
Browns who are out: LB Sione Takitaki (hamstring); questionable: QB DeShaun Watson (shoulder), TE Harrison Bryant (hip), RB Kareem Hunt (thigh), CB Greg Newsome II (hamstring); full participation Friday: G Joel Bitonio (knee), WR Cedric Tillman (hip), and LB Anthony Walker (concussion).
The Browns placed OL Michael Dunn on injured reserve.
NFL power rankings: Colts fall on quarterback questions
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports, 18th, down 5 places from last week: So much for all the Gardner Minshew hype. He was terrible against the Jaguars, which doesn't bode well since Anthony Richardson is likely done for the season.
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk, 15th, down 3: The quarterback curse continues for the Colts.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 26th, down 9: QB Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury will likely scuttle his rookie season, per owner Jim Irsay. Probably an unsurvivable setback … unless RB Jonathan Taylor displays his 2021 form soon.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News, 22nd, down 7: The Colts are all over the place. Sometimes they look great against the run, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they can run at will, sometimes they can't. Sometimes they make big pass plays easily, sometimes they seem impossible. They are perfectly suited to be .500, but they do lose a key element minus Anthony Richardson.
Dalton Miller, Pro Football Network, 17th, down 3: The Indianapolis Colts can succeed with Gardner Minshew, but only if he can keep them on schedule and not force passes that end up in the hands of the defense. Protecting the ball must be his top priority. Although we’d love it if he could consistently create explosives, that simply is not his game.
Colts odds vs. Browns
The Browns open as 3.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM. The over/under is 40 total points. Moneyline: Browns -174, Colts +145
Colts leaders
Gardner Minshew (65.2% completions, 882 passing yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, sacked 8 times); Zack Moss (466 rushing yards, 4.9 per carry, 4 TDs); Michael Pittman Jr. (40 catches, 10.1 yards per, 1 TD); Josh Downs (28 catches, 9.9 yards per, 1 TD); Zaire Franklin (77 tackles, 1.5 sacks); Matt Gay (11-of-12 FGs, 13-of-13 PATs).
Browns leaders
DeShaun Watson (63.7% completions, 678 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT, sacked 12 times); P.J. Walker (52.9% completions, 192 yards, 2 INT); Jerome Ford (270 yards, 4.0 per carry, 1 TD; 2 receiving TDs); Amari Cooper (22 catches, 16.7 yards per, 1 TD); Elijah Moore (21 catches, 8.0 yards per); Myles Garrett (5.5 sacks).
Will the roof be open?
The Colts have not decided whether the Lucas Oil Stadium roof or north end zone window will be open Sunday.
Colts news from IndyStar
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts vs. Browns injuries, storylines, odds, roof
