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Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for the first six games of the 2022 season, and that ban could be extended thanks to an NFL appeal, so head coach Kevin Stefanski has some decisions to make about distributing reps in training camp and the preseason.
Stefanski must decide how much work to give to Watson and how much to Jacoby Brissett, who will start in his place during any suspension. There is also the possibility of a lawsuit challenging the appeal ruling to further cloud the issue of when Watson might be available to play.
Stefanski said “all those scenarios you have to be prepared for,” and that means finding ways to make sure both quarterbacks are ready to play.
“We’ll let that play out, but we’ve got to get Deshaun ready to play,” Stefanski said, via Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot . “He hasn’t played football for a year. We have to get Jacoby ready to play. He’ll potentially play for us soon and start and we’ll count on him.
PFT reported that the team plans to play Watson in preseason games despite the suspension. Stefanski would not confirm that, but said the preseason provided valuable plays against a defense and it will likely be a long time before Watson can get any of those in the regular season.