Deshaun Watson cleared for contact, to get 'vast majority' of practice reps against Vikings

CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson was in full uniform on Saturday when the Browns opened the preseason with a 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers . However, he didn't play in the game as Jameis Winston started , with Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson getting the vast majority of the quarterback reps.

Watson may or may not be in uniform again next Saturday when the Browns play host to the Minnesota Vikings for preseason game No. 2. It won't matter either way, though, because he won't be playing in that game either.

That may be the furthest thing from a surprise this preseason for the Browns considering the two joint practices they'll have Wednesday and Thursday with the Vikings in Berea. Those two days are the ones that really matter for the organization, which is why Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was so quick to announce the plan on a Zoom call Sunday.

"Similarly to what we've done in the past," Stefanski said, referencing past joint practices. "So (Watson will) get the vast majority of the reps. Again, not playing in the game on Saturday night, so he'll get his work done versus them in a controlled setting."

Stefanski was more forceful than he has been previously when he confirmed Sunday that Watson was cleared for full contact. He had been asked previously on July 27 about that, and only said the quarterback was "right where he needs to be."

That could open the door for Watson to start the Browns' preseason finale on Aug. 24 at the Seattle Seahawks. No official word on a decision about that has been made yet.

Joint practices have become a staple of the Browns' preseasons, especially since Stefanski became the coach. They went home and home with the Philadelphia Eagles the previous two years , while having the New York Giants in for two in 2021.

Two years ago, it was on the first day the Eagles were in town that the NFL officially announced the 11-game suspension for Watson after the two sides had come to a settlement after the league's appeal. It turned into a bad two days for the Browns against the eventual NFC champions, a precursor to the struggles that plagued them throughout a 7-10 2022 season.

A year ago, the Browns stood toe-to-toe with the Eagles on the first day , maybe even gaining a slight upper hand. The second day was defined by some offensive red-zone issues, as well as a brief skirmish between the two teams when the Cleveland offense was going against the Philadelphia defense.

"It's an important part of training camp, and I made mention of that last night with our players," Stefanski said. "We're very much in training camp, and this week is going to be hard. It's going to be physical, it's going to attack you mentally, physically, those type of things. It's going to allow us to go up against a different scheme, really what they do offensively and defensively are different than what we do."

Those joint practices are the most sustained number of good vs. good reps the Browns get in the preseason against another team. For example, against the Packers, the starters who did play for either team only played one possession each.

The Browns and Vikings will spend a large percentage of the two days with their first units going against each other in various practice periods. That creates opportunities for matchups like cornerback Denzel Ward on Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson or defensive end Myles Garrett against Minnesota left tackle Christian Darrisaw.

"I guess one of the biggest differences would be our ones and then into our twos," Stefanski said. "But our ones will get the majority of the practice, so it's going to be our starters versus their starters. You won't practice as many times with your threes, quote-unquote, in these practices because that's where they'll get their work in the game. So you'll see a lot of your starters out there. Again, it goes back to getting them mentally and physically ready for the season."

Kevin Stefanski mum on injury updates after Green Bay Packers preseason game

Stefanski didn't have any immediate updates on any of the Browns players, other than center Luke Wypler, who left the Packers game with injuries. That group included safety Ronnie Hickman (back), wide receiver David Bell (quad), linebacker Nathaniel Watson (quad) and safety Vincent Gray (groin).

The coach also didn't have any updates on timetables for many of the various previously injured Browns players. That included the rehabbing tackle duo of Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin, running backs Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines, and the recently injured defensive end Za'Darius Smith and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson.

"I'd say with all of our guys, we're really a day-to-day operation," Stefanski said. "They continue to do a nice job in their rehab, and when they're ready they'll be out there. And that really goes for a lot of guys that are continuing to rehab off to the side. We will get them in there as soon as they can."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deshaun Watson cleared for contact, to get 'vast majority' of practice reps against Vikings