Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is set to play in the preseason finale despite ongoing injury challenges within the team. The identity of his offensive line remains uncertain as the Browns navigate through a wave of injuries at the tackle position.
Watson’s upcoming appearance in Seattle marks his first game action since suffering a broken right shoulder last November. His return is highly anticipated as fans and teammates alike are eager to see him back on the field.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reassured that the plan for Watson to play remains unchanged, despite the recent injuries affecting the offensive line. “The plan is for him to play,” Stefanski stated during a Zoom call on Sunday. He emphasized the need to adapt based on the team’s current situation, indicating that discussions about playing time will continue throughout the week.
Watson had been held out of the first two preseason games as the coaching staff monitored his recovery from surgery to repair the broken glenoid bone in his throwing shoulder. The 28-year-old has participated actively in training camp, throwing almost daily and fully engaging in joint practices against the Minnesota Vikings last week.
While Stefanski refrained from disclosing the exact playing time for Watson or other starters in the upcoming game, he noted that the Browns are preparing for their regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on September 8. “Everything’s on the table,” he remarked, suggesting flexibility in their game plan.
The injury report has not been favorable for the Browns, as left tackle Jedrick Wills will remain sidelined this week, while James Hudson III, who filled in for Wills, exited the last game with an ankle injury. Additional setbacks occurred with backups Germain Ifedi and Hakeem Adeniji also sustaining injuries.
In an effort to bolster their roster, the Browns signed Ifedi and Adeniji during the offseason after Wills, Jack Conklin, and rookie Dawand Jones faced season-ending injuries in 2023. Although Jones is healthy, he was rested for the game against the Vikings.
Stefanski confirmed that Hudson will not participate this week but is expected to return soon. Ifedi is likely to be available, while Adeniji’s injury, which occurred while he was making a tackle to halt an interception return, will keep him out for a while.
Despite the injury woes, Browns general manager Andrew Berry is actively monitoring the waiver wire for potential roster additions. “Nobody loves the injury piece of this,” Stefanski acknowledged. “But when it happens, we have to do our due diligence and look around. I feel confident in the group that we have.”
