Packers are taking a calculated risk against the Browns in the first preseason game that Cleveland should avoid

Every preseason, NFL coaches are faced with the task of whether or not they should play their starters, and rather when they should or shouldn’t make that happen. It appears that the Green Bay Packers have already made their big decision ahead of facing the Cleveland Browns in the first preseason game.

The Browns’ opponent to open the preseason will start their franchise quarterback Jordan Love, who they just gave $220 million over four years to. While the Browns have not said whether or not Deshaun Watson will play in the first preseason games I stand on the side that they should sit him.

Anytime that the starts are on the field in a meaningless game, you sort of hold your breath until they exit to the sideline. Last preseason Watson played in parts of the final two exhibition games but it is yet to be seen what the plan is for this preseason. As of Tuesday morning, the plan for Watson is still a quiet one.

All it takes is one play and one injury to derail a season for a player and that can come in the preseason. Coaches across the NFL are very careful with how they deal with the playing time and treat a lot of it truly like a dress rehearsal. For a player like Watson who is coming off of a season ruined by a shoulder injury, it makes even more sense to be extra cautious.

The Browns have followed a strict plan with Watson all along through the recovery process and the process of getting him back onto the practice field . Expect them to stick to that process and it could lead us to seeing very little Watson in the preseason. Cleveland will get him live action against an opponent but it could be a small sample size.

Related: Browns OC Ken Dorsey speaks on the elephant in the room following decision made by Kevin Stefanski