All week, the discussion rightly revolved around the question of whether quarterback Deshaun Watson will play in the final preseason game against the Seahawks in Seattle on Saturday night.
Fans can’t wait to see Watson play for the first time since undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in November. His inconsistent performance in training camp has caused unrest, and that was magnified when he sat out of practice on Wednesday because of soreness in his right arm. A few successful games and a smooth surgery could provide some comfort and momentum heading into the season opener on Sept. 8 against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Deshaun Watson resumes throwing and doing normal reps, team says
Coach Kevin Stefanski declined to say whether he has decided whether Watson will start. Fans may have to tune in — and stay up late — to see the 10 p.m. kickoff at Lumen Field.
An appearance of Watson in the crowd would certainly add more spice to the game, but the game still remains relevant for several reasons.
Here are five:
STAY SAFE
Stefanski said last week the plan was to use Watson and the starters. This week he amended that to say the starters “should expect to play, and then we’ll decide who plays and who doesn’t.”
In the five training camps under general manager Andrew Berry and Stefanski, the focus has been on getting the best players healthy by Week 1. There is little emphasis on hitting in practice, and when the regulars play in the preseason, reps are limited. But Stefanski has preferred to have his starting quarterback and many of the regulars play in the finale.
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The rash of injuries this year may prompt Seattle to take a more cautious approach. The Browns entered training camp with tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin, running back Nick Chubb, running back/returner Nyheim Hines, cornerback Greg Newsome II and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. None of them were cleared to practice, and linebackers Jordan Hicks and Nathaniel Watson, tackles James Hudson III and Hakeem Adeniji, receiver David Bell and safety Ronnie Hickman joined them on the sidelines.
The organization must weigh the benefit of 15-20 preseason snaps versus keeping healthy players for Week 1.
You can’t coach in fear, so Stefanski could stick with the original plan and use starters. That probably wouldn’t include everyone.
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Defensive end Myles Garrett, receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku will likely have the evening off. They are too important and have shown they don’t need to be off in the preseason, and Njoku hasn’t practiced this week because of a minor injury. Receiver Jerry Jeudy, who has been out on and off with a knee injury, and left guard Joel Bitonio are also candidates for a rest. Bitonio would normally be a no-brainer, but given the issues at left tackle, Stefanski may want him to protect Watson – if he plays.
PREVIEW WEEK 1?
The problem with left tackle is that at least the two best options are out.
Wills has yet to return from surgery to repair a torn medial ligament last year, and Hudson is out at least this week with an ankle injury. Additionally, right tackle Jack Conklin did not return last year after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 1, and Adeniji was placed on the injured list.
Germain Ifedi is the starter this week and the pressure will be on. If Wills, Conklin and Hudson don’t make it back in Week 1, Ifedi is the default choice.
He has made 83 career starts, but training camp has been up and down. He could ease some concerns with a solid performance against the Seahawks.
But if he allows a sack or two, Berry could be forced out of the roster before the opening game.
STAY OR GO
Stefanski hasn’t revealed any of his quarterback plans for Seattle. If Dorian Thompson-Robinson doesn’t play, it could be a sign the Browns will trade him before the mandatory roster is reduced to 53 players at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Zac Jackson of The Athletic reported this week that the Browns have spoken to several teams about potentially trading Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick in 2023. Thompson-Robinson began training camp competing with Tyler Huntley for the No. 3 spot and has been really good. His arm strength appears to have improved significantly and he has performed well throughout training camp and the first two preseason games.
The Browns believed Thompson-Robinson could develop into a No. 2 quarterback when they drafted him, but may have changed their mind after his struggles as a rookie. If they trade him for a draft pick or a player at a position where there is a need, Huntley would likely remain at No. 3.
COMPETITION WITH THE LEAGUE
Coaches are constantly reminding young players that their position in the team’s rankings isn’t the only thing they have to worry about. They’ll be compared to the more than 1,000 players who will be cut from the roster by Tuesday.
Running back Aidan Robbins, an undrafted rookie from BYU, is the perfect example.
Just looking at Cleveland’s roster, Robbins would have a good chance of making the team. Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman seem set, but Chubb is still out and Pierre Strong Jr. was hospitalized on Wednesday with a bruised rib. If Strong isn’t ready for Week 1, the Browns will need a third running back.
That’s where the rest of the league comes in. Berry will scour the waiver list and free agent list to see if he can do better than Robbins. He could also release Robbins, bring him back to the practice squad and put him on game day.
Robbins doesn’t have to worry about the roster being turned around. A bad night in Seattle could make Berry’s decision easier. A strong performance could earn him a longer look.
Robbins is a strong runner at 6’2″ and 235 pounds. In two preseason games, he ran 11 times for 23 yards and scored one touchdown.
END OF THE GAME
The battle for positions continues at the bottom of the team’s roster, and one player who hasn’t received much attention is defensive end.
Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo and Alex Wright are set, but coordinator Jim Schwartz likes to have his linemen play in waves, so the Browns could keep five ends. That’s where things get interesting.
Isaiah McGuire was drafted in the fourth round last year and had one sack in four games. He got a lot of play in training camp and the preseason but failed to make an impact.
Isaiah Thomas was drafted in the seventh round in 2022, had a sack in 10 games as a rookie and spent last year on the practice squad. He shows up at practice and has a sack in the preseason.
McGuire, Thomas and Jeremiah Martin are the main candidates on the roster. The Browns could also keep Sam Kamara, who trains as a defensive tackle, gets rave reviews and has a history as an end. The Browns are well-stocked at tackle positions, so keeping Kamara as an end could be a way to overcome the shortage.
