Part of the uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson this season is that he is coming off shoulder surgery.
Watson’s puzzle involves much more than his health, but he reminded us Tuesday that he’s still recovering from an injury that ended his 2023 season. The Browns announced that Watson will not play in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday.
Given Watson’s struggles in his first two seasons with the Browns and his injury concerns, he seems like an ideal candidate to play as much as possible in the preseason. The Browns still have a slight concern about rushing him back. Watson sat out one day of training camp.
“He’s done a nice job the days he’s been throwing,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Aug. 2, via the team’s website.
Jameis Winston will be the starter for the Browns. Stefanski said the starters will play about 10 snaps against the Packers.
Watson will likely play in the preseason. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 12 and underwent surgery. That was Watson’s second straight disappointing season in Cleveland after the team traded away a bunch of draft picks for him and signed him to a $230 million guaranteed contract.
This is a crucial season for Watson. It will take at least one more week to see him on the field in 2024.