On Thursday, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports confirmed that Watson would miss the Week 6 contest.
When Kyle Shanahan joined KNBR this afternoon for his weekly radio interview, he had yet to hear the quarterback news. The 49ers head coach was asked about the variables entering the game and how uncertainty impacts the week of preparation.
"Yeah, we don't know who's starting," Shanahan said of the matchup. "We've got to be prepared for all of them. But I think it's pretty simple, this game, and we're going against the number one defense in the league. And you turn on the tape, and that's what they look like.
"They're going to be there at the end of this year because this defense is that good. And when you have a defense like that and a team who's dedicated to running the ball, that's a very good recipe to get to the playoffs and win in the playoffs."
Shanahan is not about to take the Browns lightly because they will be without Watson.
"Hopefully for us, he's not out there, but these other guys can come in and do stuff just like you guys saw [Cardinals QB Joshua] Dobbs do," Shanahan said. "And when you play good defense, and you run the ball, that gives any quarterback an opportunity to make plays."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
What the Browns playing in London means for the 49ers
The Cleveland Browns have announced that they will host a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London during the 2025 season, part of the NFL's slate of eight international games—the most ever in a single season. It's official! We're headed to London in 2025, and... -
Mel Kiper's debut mock draft has 49ers addressing a crucial need
Few expected the San Francisco 49ers to target a wide receiver in last year's draft, as it wasn't considered a pressing need. Even more surprising was the team's decision to use its first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall, who most didn't view as the top receiver available in their... -
49ers interview Brant Boyer for special teams coordinator; Nick Sorensen won't be retained
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the San Francisco 49ers have interviewed New York Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer for the same position in Santa Clara. Maiocco also notes that former 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who was considered a... -
NFL insider still believes Robert Saleh will return to 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen recently withdrew from the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coaching search, choosing to remain in Tampa. This decision has boosted Robert Saleh's chances of landing the Jaguars' head coach opening—a position that might seem...