AUGUST 12: While Watson will not take part in Cleveland’s second preseason contest, he will make his 2024 debut one week later. Stefanski said on Monday (via Cabot) the Browns plan to play Watson in their exhibition finale against the Seahawks. Making it through that contest healthy would set the stage for a critical regular season slate.
AUGUST 11: Deshaun Watson has hit another checkpoint in his recovery process. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Sunday the team’s franchise quarterback has been cleared for full contact. 
Watson was limited to just six games last season due to a lingering shoulder injury. After being shut down for the campaign – the second of his fully guaranteed, $230MM contract – his attention turned to rehab. That process has gone well to date, with an update from June stating he was ahead of schedule.
Now, Watson will continue his preparation for the 2024 season during this week’s joint practices with the Vikings. Stefanski confirmed the three-time Pro Bowler will not play in Cleveland’s second preseason contest, as was the case this past weekend (by which time, as Stefanski clarified via Cleveland.com’s Mary KayCabot, Watson had received clearance). The 28-year-old will, however, receive the “vast majority” of first-team reps over the coming days.
The Browns dealt with a slew of injuries at several offensive positions last season, and the team relied on Joe Flacco at quarterback down the stretch and in the postseason. Flacco departed in free agency and Cleveland has brought in the likes of Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley in addition to returnee Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Regardless of how the rest of the depth chart shakes out, though, Watson will of course face high expectations as starter once the campaign begins.
After sitting out the first 11 weeks of the 2022 season through suspension for a personal conduct policy violation, the former Texan did not impress in his opening Cleveland starts. The Browns went 5-1 during his six appearances this past season, but his passer rating in that span (84.3) fell well short of his career average and his best Houston years. Returning to his previous form – and thus making the monster trade price the Browns paid to acquire him, in addition to the historic extension, easier to justify – would be critical for Cleveland’s chances of making a postseason run.
Unlike last offseason, the team did not adjust Watson’s contract. As a result, he is set to carry a record-breaking cap charge of $63.77MM in 2024. The pact also calls for cap hits of just under $64MM in 2025 and ’26, so remaining healthy and delivering a strong outing on Watson’s part will be critical for the team’s finances now and in the future. This latest update is another sign he is back at 100% well before Week 1.
As a Steelers fan I hope he plays all 17 games
The Browns were better than Pittsburgh last season while starting five different quarterbacks and missing Nick Chubb. I’d bet the house if Watson starts all 17 games the Browns will once again be a team to contend with considering a league top defense and a strong recovery by Chubb.
I am not a Steelers fan, but the injuries are stacking up in Cleveland, and your sexual deviant QB hasn’t played a full season since Biden entered the White House. I’d hold your bets.
Deez nutz are cleared for full contact
Deshaun is not cleared for contact in other aspects of his life
Scumbag will be bringing this like a doctors note to massage parlors.
Oh, the others have already covered the “not for his victims” part, I see.
Should be behind glass on no-contact status as part of the prison visiting room protocols.
Full contact sounds like he’s going back to the massage parlor…
But only after signing his full Non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Lol you’re giving Deshaun way too much credit… He’s not smart enough for an NDA
He wasn’t, but the Texans got wind of what he was doing and started providing them for him.
“The New York Times, citing depositions and evidence for the civil lawsuits as well as interviews of some of the 24 women who have now accused Watson of misconduct, reported on additional allegations, as well as new details regarding some of the previous 22 lawsuits.
Among the allegations is that the number of massage therapists Watson used was higher than previously believed; that Watson’s former team, the Houston Texans, provided him with a membership to a hotel where some of the massages took place; that a Texans employee provided Watson with a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) that Watson later used for his appointments; and that multiple women who did not sue Watson or go to the police with their allegations, also allege acts of sexual misconduct by Watson during their massages that are consistent in nature with those alleged by women who did sue and/or report to police.
The Times reported that Watson booked appointments with at least 66 massage therapists over a 17-month period from fall 2019 through spring 2021. That number is in contradiction with Watson’s public statements that he hired around 40 massage therapists during his five NFL seasons. “
I hope that opposing defensive lineman take that literally! I am ready for a DT to make full contact with his face.
Just what he likes.
Wifey Ms Watson is so glad for that news.
It’s been a long wait.