Browns Keep Deshaun Watson as Week 2 Starter After 34-10 Loss
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Sep 14
Browns Keep Deshaun Watson as Week 2 Starter After 34-10 Loss
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Sep 14
Summary
Todd Monken said Deshaun Watson is expected to start Sunday at Tampa Bay, ending immediate doubt after Cleveland’s 34-10 opening loss to Jacksonville.
Film review drove the decision: Monken said Watson showed enough in just his second week taking all first-team reps, and that Cleveland’s offensive breakdowns were shared by coaches and players.
Watson went 16-of-22 for 205 yards with one touchdown, one interception and 38 rushing yards, but the Browns fell behind 24-0 by halftime with five first downs and no third-down conversions.
The outing was Watson’s first regular-season game in 693 days after two Achilles tears, extending scrutiny on a quarterback who is 9-11 in Cleveland and has a 33.1 QBR since his 2022 arrival on a fully guaranteed $230 million deal.