An overbearing issue at offensive tackle will not deter the Cleveland Browns from suiting up quarterback Deshaun Watson against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Browns officially begin their season on September 8 with a home opener against the Dallas Cowboys. However, there’s still work to be done before then—coaches and players continue through training camp and the preseason before we start regular season play.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has been known to take a more conservative approach with his starters during the preseason, particularly when they are coming off an injury. The Browns were one of the most injury-riddled squads during the 2024 season; therefore, Stefanski has sat several impact players, including quarterback Watson, for both of their preseason contests.
Watson is coming off season-ending shoulder surgery, an injury he sustained on November 12, 2023, against the Baltimore Ravens. He led a frivolous 15-point second-half comeback, completing all 14 of his second-half pass attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown. Watson added several big carries with his legs before Cleveland kicked a game-winning field goal to put the Browns at 6-3.
While his performance sparked hope among Browns’ fans during the game’s immediate aftermath, the team announced he would undergo surgery the next day. They went on to a 5-3 finish without Watson, making the playoffs and losing to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round. Watson got an early start on the rehab process and was recently fully cleared for contact, meaning he should be ready for the season opener.
There have been murmurs that Cleveland will let Watson play during their preseason finale, an August 24 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. Stefanski addressed it after Cleveland’s second preseason game on Saturday, saying, “I mean, the plan is for Deshaun to play. Obviously, I take in all the information week-to-week, day-to-day, but that is the plan.”
Watson is entering the third season of a five-year contract that pays him $230 million over its duration. Cleveland sent five draft picks to