The suspended Cleveland Browns quarterback is expected to be the starter when he returns.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry spoke with the media Tuesday and provided an update about the status of quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson will be the Browns starter upon his return.
This is hardly earth shattering news as this has been the plan all along. Cleveland is currently 3-5 on the year with Jacoby Brissett as their interim starter. Brissett has performed admirably and has been able to manage the Browns offense in a more efficient manner than last year’s starter.
When Deshaun Watson does return the assumption is that the offense will have a few more wrinkles to it with an expanded playbook. Watson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when he is on the field. The main concern when it comes to Watson’s play on the field is the time between starts.
It has been nearly two calendar years since Deshaun Watson last played and rust will be a factor. While he will be eligible to practice soon there is not a true way to simulate a real game. That is before mentioning that his first opponent will be his former team (Houston) on the road. It will be a hostile environment for on and off the field reasons.
