Deshaun Watson will play in Browns’ preseason finale at Seattle. QB on track to start season opener
Deshaun Watson will play in Browns’ preseason finale at Seattle. QB on track to start season opener
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) stands next to head coach Kevin Stefanski during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) stands next to head coach Kevin Stefanski during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) stands next to head coach Kevin Stefanski during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson’s next start has been penciled in.
Cleveland’s quarterback, who hasn’t played in a game since breaking his shoulder in November at Baltimore, is scheduled to play in the Browns’ preseason finale on Aug. 24 in Seattle.
Coach Kevin Stefanski revealed his plans for Watson before practice on Monday. Watson did not play in the Browns’ exhibition opener against Green Bay last weekend and will be held out of this week’s home game against Minnesota.
Watson will also get in some work during controlled practice sessions against the Vikings on Wednesday and Thursday. Stefanski said Watson has been medically cleared to take contact, but quarterbacks are typically off limits in joint practices.
Watson has made good progress in recovering from surgery, and at some points has been ahead of schedule. He’s thrown nearly every day in training camp and appears to be a go to start the regular-season opener against Dallas on Sept. 8.
The 28-year-old Watson made only six starts last season before suffering a fractured glenoid bone against the Ravens. Watson played the entire second half with the injury and completed all 14 passes while rallying the Browns to a 33-31 win.
Watson underwent surgery a few days later. The Browns signed free agent Joe Flacco, who led them to the playoffs.
Stefanski intends to implement the same plan as in years past and play his starters a little in the preseason finale.
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