Deshaun Watson might be ready to play, but the Browns aren’t rushing him back. Watson will not play in Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday as the team remains cautious following his right shoulder surgery in November.
Coach Kevin Stefanski shared this decision before Tuesday’s practice, which was moved indoors due to rain and high winds, with several tornado warnings in Northeast Ohio.
Jameis Winston will start for the Browns, marking his debut with the team after joining as a free agent in March. Stefanski mentioned that about 10 starters will see some action against the Packers.
Watson has been throwing nearly every day in training camp, but the Browns are carefully managing his practice time and preparation for the regular season opener against Dallas on Sept. 8.
Stefanski noted that the team has a plan but is approaching Watson’s recovery day by day, especially since Watson has only played 12 games in his first two seasons with Cleveland and was suspended for six games by the NFL in 2022.
Watson, 28, suffered a fracture to his glenoid bone in Week 10 last season and had surgery. Earlier in camp, Watson said he feels healthy and is focused on “blocking out noise” this season. The Browns traded for him in 2022 and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
The Browns will have two joint practices against Minnesota next week in Berea, Ohio, before playing the Vikings on Aug. 17. Stefanski said he consulted with Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur before finalizing the plans.
