Deshaun Watson lowers expectations for his preseason debut Friday against Washington
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns training camp Day 12 …
Deshaun Watson is setting the bar low for his first appearance of the preseason and first in Browns Stadium since Christmas Eve. He will start Friday night in Preseason Game 2 against the Washington Commanders.
“The biggest thing is really just getting operational, the feel of the pre-game and starting off the game and just kind of get myself back in routine to get ready for the season,” Watson said prior to the Browns’ last practice of the week.
In Watson's last game in Cleveland, under Arctic conditions on December 24 that ranked as the second-coldest game in Browns history – 6 degrees and a minus-16 wind chill at kickoff -- he threw for 135 yards and was intercepted once in a frigid 17-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. It was the fourth of his six starts following an 11-game suspension last season.
On Friday night, Watson will play an unspecified number of plays – probably two series – under ideal weather conditions.
So what might fans expect from Watson and the No. 1 offense in limited time against the Commanders?
“[I] really just don’t expect anything,” he said. “I mean, the biggest thing is just really going out there with an open mind. Like I said, it’s still very basic on what we will show, and what we won’t show. The biggest thing is just operational. Just going out there to compete and just kind of get ourselves ready for that September 10 [season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals].”
Coach Kevin Stefanski said “a majority of starters” will play, but he would not confirm if running back Nick Chubb and defensive end Myles Garrett would see action.
Stefanski said Joshua Dobbs would follow Watson at quarterback, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kellen Mond also would play.
His plans for Watson?
“We kind of have a number of plays in mind but want to see how those drives go,” the coach said. “Similarly, defensively, if you get two, three-and-outs, you’re going to be tempted to pull everybody. So, it’s really just dependent on if you’re getting what you want accomplished.”
Interior reinforcement
The Browns were not able to land a top, penetrating defensive tackle in free agency, and it was curious to see Jordan Elliott as the only projected starter playing in the Hall of Fame Game last week. Apparently, they were gauging their need for a tackle effective in pass pressure.
They felt a deficiency there and acted by signing Shelby Harris, who has 24.5 sacks and 52 quarterback hits in eight seasons with the Raiders, Broncos and Seahawks.
Harris had a career-high six sacks for the Broncos in 2019 and 2021.
Harris, 31, worked out for the Browns on July 31. Harris, 6-2 and 290 pounds, had two sacks and 44 tackles in 15 starts with the Seahawks last year. Harris was included in the Russell Wilson trade last year, moving from Denver to Seattle.
According to reports, the Browns signed Harris for one year at about $5.25 million. The Browns will announce the signing on Thursday.
Ford in garage
The next addition by GM Andrew Berry might be a running back.
RB2 Jerome Ford watched practice with his right hamstring wrapped after injuring it in a rain-soaked practice on Monday. Stefanski said Ford is “week to week.”
The injury comes at a critical time because the Browns travel to Philadelphia on Sunday for two joint practices with the NFC champion Eagles prior to their preseason meeting next Thursday. Ford definitely miss those workouts, which are viewed as the climactic days of the preseason.
At this time, the Browns believe that Ford should be back for the season-opener. Nevertheless, they have worked out some backs with NFL experience and may bring one in as insurance. Former Brown Kareem Hunt is not under consideration for the job.
Perfect at practice
The Browns had a situational practice period in which they set up a game-tying field goal with 26 seconds left in a game. They had three tries at it.
On the first, Dobbs was intercepted by linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk on a pass deflected by cornerback Denzel Ward.
On the second, Watson moved the offense in position for a 44-yard field goal. Cade York made it.
On the third, Kellen Mond moved the offense in position for a 47-yard field goal. York made it.
Brownie bits
It doesn’t sound good for guard Drew Forbes, who was carted off the practice field with a back injury on Monday. “We’ll see where that is in the next few days. But it was a very random kind of unlucky thing that happened there. Unfortunate,” said Stefanski …
Defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and offensive tackle James Hudson were the antagonists in a brawl at the final practice at The Greenbrier. All is well, apparently. Okoronkwo said, “Oh, that’s my dog. It was hot out there. Got a little chippy. Competition brings out the best in all of us. So, we put it behind us. We just had lunch together yesterday. It’s all good.” …
The losses of defensive ends Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas for several weeks after arthroscopic knee surgeries moves rookie fifth-round pick Isaiah McGuire two notches up to fourth on the DE depth chart. Defensive line coach Ben Boom said of McGuire, “I think he’s trending in the right direction. He’s a smart guy. He works hard. He’s very diligent in the meetings. He comes to work every day and as long as he keeps improving, which he will, he’s going to be fine. I’m excited about what he’s doing and where he’s headed.”
