Why isn’t Deshaun Watson playing against the Eagles? Browns QB to sit remainder of preseason after suspension settlement with NFL
There is no longer any uncertainty about Deshaun Watson’s future in Cleveland: he will miss the first 11 games of the regular season.
The NFL announced a settlement between Watson and the league for an 11-game suspension with a $5 million fine that keeps him out of the regular season until at least the team’s Week 13 clash against the Texans.
However, the suspension doesn’t affect his preseason status. It officially begins August 30 at 4:00 p.m. ET, which means he can still attend practice sessions and preseason games.
But that will not be the case. When the Browns take on the Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, Watson will not be on the field.
Here’s why he won’t play.
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Why Deshaun Watson Won’t Play Eagles
After the announcement of Watson’s suspension, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Watson would not play either the second preseason game against the Eagles or the third preseason game against the Bears.
Stefanski didn’t give a specific reason why Watson wouldn’t play in either game, but he did talk about the need to get Jacoby Brissett more time on the field with the first-team offense. While Stefanski conceded that Watson will eventually play, he said the team needs to start looking at Brissett as a starter under middle.
“We want to take a good look at some of our schemes versus another scheme, if you will, but ultimately when we leave this week, Jacoby is really going to get all the reps,” Stefanski said.
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It also means less work for Watson in general. Stefanski was asked if Watson’s workload at the drills will ease as August 30 approaches, which Stefanski said.
“In the exercises, yes, in the repetitions of the exercises, but not in what he does here in the building,” said Stefanski. “So work more to the side than taking the reps per se.”
Watson played in the team’s first preseason game against the Jaguars, completing 1 of 5 passes for seven yards.
Brown’s QB depth chart
Heading into Sunday’s competition with the Eagles, Brissett is expected to play for the first time this preseason. With Watson suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season, Brissett will be the team’s starter barring more moves.
Brissett is believed to be joined by either Joshua Dobbs or Josh Rosen. The Browns currently have Dobbs listed as the third QB on the depth chart, with Rosen fourth.
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Dobbs has seen limited action in his career since being drafted by the Steelers in 2017. He has played in six games and completed 10 of 17 passes for 45 yards with one interception. He has also rushed for 31 yards six times.
Rosen has seen prolonged action as the Cardinals’ 10th overall pick of 2018 began with lackluster results in 13 of 14 games in 2018. He completed 55.2 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while rushing 23 times for 138 yards. Since then he has been backup in Miami and Atlanta.