Walker is in line to take over as the Browns' starting quarterback Sunday against the Steelers after Cleveland announced Wednesday that Deshaun Watson will require season-ending surgery to address a non-displaced fractured right shoulder, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Rapoport, Watson is headed to injured reserve after an MRI revealed that he sustained a left high-ankle sprain as well as the shoulder fracture in Sunday's win over the Ravens. As a result, Walker is on track to move into a starting role going forward, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson slated to serve as his backup. With that in mind, Walker represents a fantasy option for those who roster Watson or are otherwise in need of signal-caller depth heading into Week 11. Walker has struggled to impress while making two starts and playing three quarters of another game while Watson missed time with a rotator cuff strain earlier this season, completing 48 of 97 pass attempts (49.5) percent for 618 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.

Walker failed to complete his lone pass attempt in Sunday's 33-31 win over the Ravens.

EDGE Analysis

Walker was brought on for the final play of the first half to throw a Hail Mary pass, after starter Deshaun Watson went to the locker room early to address a gimpy left ankle. Watson played the entire second half -- completing all 14 of his throws during Cleveland's comeback win -- then downplayed the ankle issue following the game. Presumably, Watson will be able to play Week 11 against the Steelers, but Walker remains ready just in case.

Walker will return to a backup role in Week 9 against the Cardinals, as Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will start.

EDGE Analysis

Watson will make just his second start since Week 3. The last time Watson returned from his injury, he aggravated it in Week 7 against the Colts, so Walker wound up playing most of that game. Barring another injury to Watson, Walker likely won't play again this season.

Walker completed 15 of 31 passes for 248 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's loss to Seattle. He added six rushes for 27 yards and also lost a fumble.

EDGE Analysis

Walker dug the Browns an early hole after he fumbled midway through the first quarter to set up Seattle's second touchdown of the day. He also threw an interception just before the two-minute warning in the final quarter as Cleveland was trying to run out the clock with the lead. In between those miscues, he showed some promise by averaging eight yards per attempt while connecting with both Amari Cooper and David Njoku regularly to pick up chunk yardage. Walker is likely to remain the starter so long as Deshaun Watson (shoulder), who currently has an unclear timeline to return, is sidelined.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Walker -- who was signed to the Browns' 53-man roster earlier Wednesday -- will make his second start of the season and should be in store for his third extended outing in a row while Deshaun Watson focuses on rehabbing his injured throwing shoulder. After Watson missed the final three quarters of the Week 7 game against the Colts upon experiencing a setback with the shoulder injury that had kept him out for the previous two games, Walker came on in relief and completed 15 of 32 pass attempts for 178 yards and one interception in the Browns' 39-38 win. The Browns have won both of the games that Walker has appeared in this season, but it's largely been on the strength of the defense and kicking game rather than the quarterback, who has completed just half of his passes for 5.6 yards per attempt while throwing three picks.

The Browns signed Walker to the 53-man roster Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, the move was expected given that Walker has already been elevated from the practice squad the maximum three times. With Deshaun Watson dealing with a shoulder issue ahead of Sunday's game in Seattle, Walker is a candidate to make his second start of the season after playing the majority of the Browns' Week 7 win over the Colts in relief of Watson.

Walker reverted to the Browns' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction report.

EDGE Analysis

Deshaun Watson returned from a two-game absence Sunday at Indianapolis but lasted only 12 plays before undergoing a concussion check. He cleared the protocol for head injuries, but out of an abundance of caution, the Browns opted not to risk the existing strained rotator cuff in his right throwing shoulder. The team considers Watson day-to-day moving forward, as coach Kevin Stefanski told Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal on Monday. In Watson's stead, Walker completed 15 of 32 passes for 178 yards, no touchdowns and one interception against the Colts, and the latter could be in line for another start if Watson isn't able to gain medical clearance ahead of Sunday's game at Seattle.

Walker completed 15 of 32 passes for 178 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Sunday's 39-38 win over the Colts. He added three rushes for three yards.

EDGE Analysis

Walker entered Sunday's contest as the backup, though he was forced into a significant relief role after Deshaun Watson (shoulder) left the game. He was unsurprisingly inefficient and was aided in the win by a defensive touchdown and three field goals from more than 50 yards away. The status of Watson is up in the air heading into a Week 8 matchup at Seattle, though there's some initial optimism that Walker will shift back to his backup role.

Walker is will serve as the Browns' No. 2 quarterback in Sunday's game against the Bears with Deshaun Watson (shoulder) active for the contest and in line to start.

EDGE Analysis

Though he was elevated from the practice squad for the Browns' third game in a row, Walker will move into a backup role Week 7 with Watson making his return from a two-game absence. After Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled while starting in place of Watson in a Week 4 loss to the Ravens, Walker drew the nod coming out of the team's Week 5 bye while Watson remained sidelined. Though the Browns were able to secure a 19-17 upset victory over the previously undefeated 49ers, Walker wasn't a major factor in the win, as he completed just 18 of 34 passes for 192 yards while throwing two interceptions. Walker will remain ahead of Thompson-Robinson on the depth chart this week, but the Browns will have to sign Walker to the 53-man roster in order for him to be eligible to dress as Watson's backup in any subsequent contests.

Walker was elevated to the Browns' active roster Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear if Saturday's elevation is an omen for Deshaun Watson (shoulder), who practiced fully Friday after missing the previous two games, or just simply a procedural move to ensure the team has the necessary depth at the quarterback position. Expect more information regarding Watson's status, and that of Walker's, to arrive prior to the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday.