Deshaun Watson timetable for return to action
By Randy Gurzi
Deshaun Watson will be back soon, but when can he start practicing and how will the Cleveland Browns manage this with Jacoby Brissett starting?
We’re just three games away from Deshaun Watson taking over as the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
Their prized offseason acquisition brought plenty of criticism along with him, which has already been covered in full. For now, let’s look at what’s coming up as he prepares to return to the field.
Watson has been able to attend meetings and work on condition since Oct. 10 and can start fully practicing on Nov. 14. The question is how will things be handled when he’s allowed to take reps for a couple of weeks while Jacoby Brissett remains the starter. Well according to Mary Kay Cabot, Brissett is going to need the first-team reps, especially with the teams on the schedule.
"“He can begin practicing fully with the Browns on Nov. 14th, but Kevin Stefanski will still have to give the bulk of the first-team reps to Jacoby Brissett for the next two weeks for games against the Bills and Bucs.” — Cabot, Cleveland.com"
Cabot adds that head coach Kevin Stefanski will have to find some first-team reps for Watson but since those are limited, there will be an onus on Watson and some of his teammates to work on their own.
Will Deshaun Watson push Cleveland into the playoffs?
The main question when Watson does return will be what the team expects. Should they drop their next three games — against Miami, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay — he’s likely going to be trying to knock off the rust and prepare for 2023.
However, if Cleveland manages to win a couple of those games, they could still be within striking distance of the Bengals and Ravens in the AFC North — with games against each of them still coming up.
If that’s the case, the final six games for Watson could have much more meaning.
