As the Browns turn the page on their first preseason loss to the Packers and shift their focus to the second preseason game against the Vikings, head coach Kevin Stefanski said QB Deshaun Watson will not play on Saturday.
It will be the second preseason game Watson will not play in. However, Stefanski said Watson will take reps in the joint practices against the Vikings to continue preparing him for the regular season. He also confirmed that Watson has been cleared for full contact.
"He'll get the vast majority of the reps; again, not playing in the game on Saturday night, so he'll get his work done versus them in a controlled setting," Stefanski said.
Here are the other top news and notes as the Browns head into the second week of the preseason.
Check out photos of the Browns against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 of the Preseason
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) and Kicker Cade York (36) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77), Center Ethan Pocic (55), Offensive guard Javion Cohen (67), and Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Javion Cohen (67) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Defense during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) and Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (96) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Defense during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Defense during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) and Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The Offense during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Jacques Cesaire during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) and Cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. (28) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) and Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (10) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (10) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (10) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Safety Brady Breeze (39) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (96) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (53) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Safety Brady Breeze (39) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back John Kelly Jr. (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive end Jeremiah Martin (60) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Wyatt Davis (50) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Wyatt Davis (50) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive tackle Lorenzo Thompson (69) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Offensive guard Wyatt Davis (50) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) and Tight end Treyton Welch (82) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Running back Aidan Robbins (49) during a preseason NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns on August 10, 2024 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Luke Wypler's ankle injury
Stefanski also provided a small update on C Luke Wypler, who sustained an ankle injury in the first preseason game. Following the game, Stefanski said Wypler's injury would require surgery.
"That was tough," Stefanski said. "Fractured his ankle there so that's going to require surgery and I'm disappointed for the kid. The goal, obviously, when you get into these games is to get out of there as healthy as you can and unfortunately suffered that one."
Stefanski texted with Wypler following the game and planned to see him on Sunday at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
"I feel terrible for anybody that has an injury like that," Stefanski said. "Not to mention it's painful, but it is painful for these guys to not be with their team for an extended period. So, I feel for Luke, I know he'll bounce back quickly, but these injuries like that, it's no fun for anybody involved."
Upcoming joint practices with the Vikings
The Browns will host the Vikings for two joint practices on Aug. 14 and 15 before they host Minnesota for the second preseason game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Aug. 17.
Stefanski sees a high level of value in joint practices as they prepare for the 2024 regular season. This is the fourth year the Brows have scheduled joint practices, where they schedule them the second week of the preseason. They have hosted the Eagles, traveled to Philadelphia and hosted the Giants in three previous seasons.
"It's an important part of training camp and I made mention of that last night with our players," Stefanski said. "We're very much in training camp and this week is going to be hard. It's going to be physical, it's going to attack you mentally, physically, those type of things. It's going to allow us to go up against a different scheme, really what they do offensively and defensively different than what we do."
One of the biggest differences in joint practices from other training camp practices is their first-team players will get the majority of practice against the Vikings.
"So, it's going to be our starters versus their starters," Stefanski explained. "You won't practice as many times with your threes 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."
