Deshaun Watson is still scheduled to make his preseason debut. However, it’s unclear who will be protecting him as the Browns face injury problems with their offensive tackles.
Three more tackles were hurt during Cleveland’s exhibition loss to Minnesota on Saturday, adding to the issues as the team waits for starters Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin to recover from season-ending injuries.
Watson is expected to play in the exhibition finale against Seattle this week. This will be his first game action since he injured his right shoulder last November.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the plan for Watson to play remains unchanged despite the tackle injuries.
“The plan is for him to play,” Stefanski said on Sunday. “I always take in information, so I’m going to make sure I talk to and work through that this week. Not going to get into who plays and how much just yet, but going to certainly work through that in the next couple of days.”
Watson did not play in Cleveland’s first two preseason games as the team closely monitored his recovery from surgery on his throwing shoulder. He has participated fully in training camp and joint practices with the Vikings.
Stefanski did not say how much Watson or the starters might play against the Seahawks. The Browns will start the regular season on Sept. 8 against Dallas.
“Everything’s on the table,” he said. “What we have to do is just always … we have a plan, look at it, see what’s available, do we want to alter anything? So we’ll work through that in the next couple of days.”
Stefanski mentioned that Wills will not be back at practice this week. He has been working with the training staff and seems to be progressing faster than Conklin, who was injured in the season opener last year.
