As the Browns began their preparation for the second week of the preseason, head coach Kevin Stefanski shared an update on QB Deshaun Watson's progress – he is scheduled to play in the final preseason game against the Seahawks.
"That's the plan," Stefanski said.
Watson did not play in the first preseason game against the Packers and will not play in the second game against the Vikings on Aug. 17.
However, as the Browns host the Vikings at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for joint practices this week, Stefanski said Watson would take the majority of the reps to get his work in against Minnesota. He will face the Vikings starting defense, which will not only help prepare him for the final preseason game, but also the regular season.
"Our ones will get the majority of the practice," Stefanski explained. "So, it's going to be our starters versus their starters. You won't practice as many times with your threes, quote-unquote, in these practices because that's where they'll get their work in the game. So, you'll see a lot of your starters out there. Again, it goes back to getting them mentally and physically ready for the season."
It also allows those starters – and Watson – to get their work done in a controlled setting. To Stefanski, the controlled setting is an important perk.
"I like that you can have controlled settings," Stefanski said. "I like that both sides can feel confident that their quarterbacks are going to stay upright. And I like that you can script practice and get a bunch of different situations, whether it be third down, two-minute, what have you. For us, sometimes you go through a game, and you don't get a two minute, per se, or the third and three doesn't show up for you, those type of things. So, it allows us to really get intentional work, if you will."
When Watson takes the field on Aug. 24, it will make the first game he's played in since Nov. 12 of the 2023 season, when he suffered a high ankle sprain and dealt with the fractured shoulder. He was then ruled out for the remainder of the season on Nov. 15. He has spent the offseason recovering and rehabbing from his surgery, and followed the steps the medical staff has put in place throughout his return.
He took important steps throughout the offseason, progressing from throwing every other day to then throwing in 7-on-7 drills in minicamp, and then participating in training camp beginning at The Greenbrier. He took reps in individual drills and 11-on-11 team drills.
His presence in a preseason game is an important step as he has hit different milestones over the course of the offseason in preparation for the regular season.
As Watson has taken reps throughout training camp, he's connected with different pass catchers and showcasing his arm strength as the weeks have progressed.
"He's done a nice job throughout the days that he's throwing," Stefanski said on the final day at The Greenbrier. "I thought he was doing really well. He's focused, locked in. Proud of him for being in the huddle, giving coaching points. I think that's such a huge part of this as the starting quarterback, is even on a day where he gets an off day throwing, it's not an off day from a leadership perspective, and he did a nice job."
Now, he'll prepare to face the Vikings in joint practices this week and take the field on Aug. 24.
