Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will sit out the team's preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night due to soreness in his right arm. Watson, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, experienced discomfort during practice on Wednesday. Despite participating in Thursday's closed workout with the first-team offense, the decision was made to err on the side of caution.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski had initially intended for Watson to play in the exhibition game but opted for a conservative approach given the circumstances. The Browns are also grappling with injuries at offensive tackle, potentially influencing the choice to rest Watson.
A team spokesperson confirmed that Watson remains on schedule to start Cleveland's home opener on September 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. In Watson's absence, backup quarterback Jameis Winston will take the reins against the Seahawks.
Watson's 2021 campaign was cut short by a broken socket bone in his throwing arm, limiting him to just six starts. The Browns are banking on the three-time Pro Bowler to make a strong comeback this season after signing him to a lucrative five-year, $230 million deal in 2022. Watson's playing time has been curtailed by an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy and subsequent injury setbacks.
Last season, Cleveland navigated quarterback challenges by fielding five different starters. Following Watson's injury, the Browns turned to free agent Joe Flacco, who steered the team to the playoffs with a 4-1 record and 1,616 passing yards in five games.
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