Deshaun Watson resumes throwing, but play status in Seattle remains top secret

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 the end of Browns training camp …

1. Watson resumes throwing: The Browns simulated a regular-season Friday practice before they departed for Seattle on Thursday afternoon. Deshaun Watson, who was shut down on Wednesday because of “general arm soreness,” resumed throwing and took his normal full complement of reps, according to the Browns. Watson’s playing status for the preseason finale in Seattle remains uncertain, however. It would be a shame if Watson didn’t play against the Seahawks, for a number of reasons. A. He needs the work. B. The full offensive unit needs the work. C. Watson actually did good by throwing in every period for 15 of the 16 training camp practices, and he deserves to be rewarded with his first live game action since November 13 in Baltimore. Remember, the biggest question beginning training camp was if Watson’s surgically repaired right shoulder would hold up during the rigors of camp. It held up fine. The “arm soreness,” reported by coach Kevin Stefanski, was unrelated to the shoulder rehab.

2. Why the Cade trade?: One-time cult-hero kicker Cade York was traded to the Washington Commanders for a conditional seventh-round pick in 2025. I view this deal as GM Andrew Berry taking care of York, whom Berry drafted in the fourth round in 2022. Berry wanted to stash York on the practice squad as insurance in case Dustin Hopkins pulled another hamstring muscle, which he’s done often in his career. But Berry also is fond of York and wanted to give him an opportunity to make a 53 if coveted. Washington is desperate for a kicker and didn’t want to risk losing York on a claim by another club when York was waived by the Browns on Tuesday. York had a terrible second preseason with the Browns last year, which was only the beginning of his 2023 nightmare. Berry traded for Hopkins, and Hopkins made everyone forget York by having perhaps the greatest kicking season in Browns season. No matter what happens to York in his NFL career, he authored an indelible paragraph in the history of the Browns by beating Carolina on a 58-yard field goal in the 2022 season-opener. I truly believe if the Browns had blown that game to Baker Mayfield – after all that went down prior to his trade to Carolina – men would have lost their jobs a lot earlier than they eventually did.

3. PUP decisions coming: Far more interesting than the cuts – to me, at least – will be the injury re-designations the Browns must make when reducing their roster to the initial 53 on Tuesday. Currently on active/PUP (physically unable to perform) are running back Nick Chubb, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, offensive tackle Jack Conklin, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, and safety D’Anthony Bell. On active/NFI (non-football injury) are cornerback Greg Newsome and running back/returner Nyheim Hines. As to what happens Tuesday, both lists are treated the same. Either these players are moved to active status and count on the 53, or they would carry these designations into the regular season and miss a minimum of four games. My guess is that Wills, Conklin, Tomlinson, Bell, Newsome and Hines will open the season on the 53 – even though one or more won’t necessarily be ready for Game 1. I believe Chubb will be transferred to reserve/PUP, as the club privately is targeting late October for his return to practice.

4. Who’s left?: Certainly the Browns don’t plan on heading into the season-opener against Dallas with Germain Ifedi the starting left tackle. Ifedi is holding down the position against Seattle because of injuries to James Hudson and Hakeem Adeniji, and the PUP status of Wills and Conklin. So who will be the starter at left tackle on September 8? It could be Wills. Or it could be Conklin. Both players are now practicing pass sets. These discreet workouts are videotaped and then examined by medical personnel and coaches. Each seems close to returning. Conklin has been practicing pass sets from a left-handed stance, which means the Browns certainly are considering using him at left tackle if Wills isn’t ready. Conklin played left tackle at Michigan State but has not played the position in an NFL game. So, what if Conklin gets the nod to start the season at left tackle? Could he hold it beyond one game and keep Wills on the bench? Or would he move back to his home at right tackle? One thing for sure: The Browns have no intention of moving Dawand Jones to left tackle. Another thing: The Browns do not want to move Joel Bitonio to left tackle except in a dire emergency, which would be the case only if Wills and Conklin are not ready for the Dallas opener.

5. Arrivederci Ricci: Throughout camp it looked as if the Browns were carving multiple roles for Giovanni Ricci as TE3 and blocking fullback. Ricci looked like a useful player, but suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game. Then … whack! His contract was terminated Thursday with an injury settlement. What happened? Nick Harris is what happened. Harris, the 2020 Browns’ fifth-round draft pick, was re-acquired in trade from Seattle to replace injured Luke Wypler as backup to center Ethan Pocic. Harris is a valuable, versatile lineman who can also play guard and was trained as a blocking fullback in short-yardage jumbo formations last year. Those short-yardage formations, authored by former line coach Bill Callahan, remain essential because none of the Browns’ quarterbacks are particularly adept at quarterback sneaks. Let’s hope Callahan didn’t copyright those plays and take them to Tennessee. The Browns will need them.