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 Oct. 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 a necessary level.

“He knows his body. He has played through serious pain before, very serious injuries,” Stefanski said on Oct. 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 after.

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.