The Cleveland Browns plan to start franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson in their final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Watson has yet to play in the preseason as he recovers from the shoulder surgery in his throwing arm that prematurely ended his season last year.
The decision to start Watson on the trip to Seattle is also notable because the Browns have significant problems with depth at offensive tackle at the moment.
Starting offensive left tackle Jedrick Willis Jr. is still rehabbing a knee injury that ended his campaign last season.
Backup James Hudson III suffered an ankle injury in last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Third-stringer Hakeem Adenji also went down with a knee injury.
Starting right tackle Jack Conklin is still unavailable as he, too, rehabs a knee injury that ended his season last year.
“We’ll see,” coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after Saturday’s game. “I mean, the plan is for Deshaun to play. Obviously, I take in all the information week-to-week, day-to-day, but that is the plan.”
The news initially caught Watson by surprise, as he assumedly thought the plan was to skip preseason play altogether. However, he said he told reporters this week that he’d be ready to start if given the call.
