Given his most recent injury, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should start against the Seahawks next week.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, started his first game in almost a month on Sunday.

He watched the final three quarters of the game from the sidelines in Indianapolis once more, and an MRI on his ailing right shoulder is now on the docket.

Watson was held out as a precaution and is expected to start next week, according to coach Kevin Stefanski, after backup quarterback P.J. Walker led the Browns to a 39-38 victory.

“In the future, he will be our starting quarterback in Seattle,” Stefanski declared. “I just, I will always make the decision to keep our players safe.”

Late in the first quarter, Watson got hurt while he was scurrying around on a third down play. Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyinbgo hit Watson in the chest as he threw across his body, sending him hard to the ground and his head bouncing hard off the turf.

The Browns medical staff spent many minutes tending to him while he lay splayed on the ground. After that, they left and went inside Cleveland’s blue medical tent.

Watson added that after three weeks of being sidelined due to an issue that has been diagnosed as a strained rotator cuff, the physicians first looked at his throwing shoulder.

Watson stated that he went back to the tent to have a concussion assessed in between the first and second quarters. Watson did not return to the game even after the physicians cleared him to do so.

“I’d like to participate. Naturally, as a competitor, I wanted to return to the field,” he remarked. “But I don’t want to feel like something is holding me back when I step on the field.”

Stefanski believed that the wisest course of action was to bench the Browns’ $230 million quarterback and let Walker lead the team to victory in a consecutive comeback.

Watson last worked out with his teammates on September 29. He hadn’t played since injuring his shoulder on September 24 and hadn’t been to practice until this week

Watson didn’t seem like the Watson of Sunday during his brief appearance. Before leaving, he was 1 of 5 with 5 yards and 1 interception; his last pass was first called an interception but was later reversed upon replay review.

Walker claimed he didn’t take any snaps as Watson eased back into practice this week. Walker led the Browns (4-2) on a 12-play, 80-yard drive in the final 2 1/2 minutes against the team he originally played for in the NFL despite going just 15 of 32 for 178 yards and one interception. Walker was a member of the Colts practice squad for three seasons.

With 15 seconds remaining, Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown with a 1-yard run on fourth and goal to give Cleveland the lead.

Watson remarked, “That’s P.J.; he’s a professional.” “He’s played in the league long enough to fill in when needed.”