The Cleveland Browns have ruled out quarterback Deshaun Watson for Sunday's game against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers due to a lingering injury to his right shoulder.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that P.J. Walker will be activated from the practice squad to start in Watson's place against 5-0 San Francisco. 

Watson has been bothered by a right shoulder contusion that also caused him to miss Cleveland's most recent game, a 28-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on October 1. The three-time Pro Bowl selection did not practice at all this week despite the Browns coming off a bye in Week 5.

Stefanski said after the Baltimore game that Watson had been medically cleared to play but did not feel he could perform at the required level.

"He knows his body. He has played through serious pain before, very serious injuries," Stefanski said on October 2. "It wasn’t a matter of pain tolerance or anything. He just did not feel like he had his full faculties."

we have officially ruled out Deshaun Watson for Sunday's game

» https://t.co/6Axgz5zjx7 pic.twitter.com/Jz5UDIMUfA

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 13, 2023

Walker started five games for the Carolina Panthers last season and finished the campaign with 731 passing yards, three touchdown passes, three interceptions and a 59.4 per cent completion percentage. The four-year veteran was released by the Chicago Bears in August and signed with Cleveland's practice squad shortly afterwards.

The 28-year-old received the starting nod after rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled in place of Watson against the Ravens. The 2023 fifth-round pick threw three interceptions and managed just 121 yards on 19-of-36 passing.