As the Browns prepared for their 10th training camp practice – moved indoors because of severe weather in the area – head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that QB Deshaun Watson will not play in the Browns first preseason game against the Packers. Kickoff is slated for 4:25 p.m. ET on Aug. 10 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Watson threw in the first six training camp practices while at The Greenbrier and threw during the first two practices at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. He also took reps during Tuesday's indoor practice.
"He's done a nice job throughout the days that he's throwing," Stefanski said on Aug. 2 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."
With Watson resting, Stefanski said QB Jameis Winston will start.
Throughout training camp, Winston has looked strong in his reps in both individual and team drills, connecting with the pass catchers and finding opportunities to spread the ball around. Winston was also seen at The Greenbrier racing with Mike Vrabel at the end of individual drills with the quarterbacks as they ran down to the other end of the field.
Stefanski also explained that some starters will play about 10 plays in the first preseason game.
"I talked to Coach (Matt) LaFleur, very similar to Coach LaFleur's plan. Some guys will not play whether they're injured or coming back from an injury or my decision," Stefanski said. "As a courtesy, you talk to the other team and see what they're doing. But we talk and what we need to get done, what they're going to do, those type of things. But Coach LaFleur and I see it very similarly in terms of this game."
Other Notes:
- Stefanski said that DE Za'Darius Smith banged knees with RB Jerome Ford in practice on Aug. 5, and that he was sore but will ultimately be OK. Smith was seen leaving practice on Aug. 5.
- The Browns scheduled their practice on Aug. 6 for 4:25 p.m. ET to simulate their upcoming game schedule. The Browns have their first two preseason games against the Packers (Aug. 10) and the Vikings (Aug. 17) set for 4:25 p.m., as well as their season opener against the Cowboys on Sept. 8.
