Browns make puzzling decision with QB Deshaun Watson that will leave fans feeling divided
The Cleveland Browns will play their final preseason game tonight before the real thing begins in two weeks and they’ll do so following an interesting decision. Cleveland announced that they are not going to play quarterback Deshaun Watson against the Seattle Seahawks, which means that he will have no preseason reps at all before the […]
The Cleveland Browns will play their final preseason game tonight before the real thing begins in two weeks and they’ll do so following an interesting decision.
Cleveland announced that they are not going to play quarterback Deshaun Watson against the Seattle Seahawks, which means that he will have no preseason reps at all before the regular season. Quarterback Jameis Winston will get the start, presumably followed by Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Tyler Huntley. When Watson does suit up for the first time since last November, that will come on Sept. 8 against the Dallas Cowboys at home.
Watson has been a regular participant for the most part all training camp, though he was limited on Wednesday with what is being called arm soreness. Cleveland’s starting quarterback took all of the first-team reps on Thursday, signaling that there is nothing serious going on.
Why the Browns likely made the decision around Deshaun Watson
You have to look at Watson as an investment, an expensive one that has not worked out for the Browns to this point. Cleveland will likely start third-string tackle Germain Ifedi tonight at left tackle and Cleveland has 230 million reasons not to start Watson against what will be the Seattle starters. When Watson steps back out there for the first time in over nine months, the Browns do not want it to be with a backup protecting his blindside.
Cleveland still has tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin working their way back from injuries suffered last season. Ideally, Cleveland can ramp one of those guys up over the next couple of weeks to start against Dallas. Swing tackle James Hudson is dealing with a minor injury as well, but should be back sooner rather than later.
In the short term, it may be a costly decision for the Browns not to give Watson any preseason game reps. He may look a bit off to start while he gets his footing, but they will sign up for that any day over him suffering another injury in a meaningless game.
Watson has played in just 12 games in two seasons and Cleveland is all in on him being available for 17 plus more in 2024. With that comes tough decisions like this.
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