BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – For the first time since departing on August 30 to begin an 11-game suspension, Deshaun Watson returned to the Browns facility Monday morning.
Watson is limited to attending meetings and working out on his own under terms of his ban.
“We will work through what we are allowed to do with him for the foreseeable future, which I believe is he is in the meeting rooms with our guys, and he is in there now with the guys, which is great for him and us to have him back with his teammates,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I know he can’t be out on the field and working out just yet with the guys so we will just take that one day by day.”
Watson, who agreed to the ban in a settlement with the league that also included a $5 million for violating the league’s conduct policy related to sexual misconduct allegations, is not permitted to practice until November 14.
The Browns sent a total of six draft picks, including first rounders in 2022, 2023 and 2024, for the embattled quarterback and then gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.
Provided Watson meets the conditions for reinstatement, which includes participation in counseling, he is on track to start against his former team, the Texans, on December 4.
While away from the team Watson worked out with personal quarterback coach Quincy Avery.
“He is in a good spot,” Stefanski said. “He worked real hard. Was in town working locally. making sure he was staying on top of it physically. Now, he just has to catch up a little bit in the meeting room.”
Belief in Brissett – Jacoby Brissett has done an admirable job through the first five games filling in for Watson, however interceptions late in the fourth quarter have contributed to each of their three losses.
Sunday’s 30-28 loss to the Chargers saw Brissett throw a pick when he had plenty of running room in front of him, but the veteran backup didn’t see Chargers safety Alohi Gilman lurking while trying to get the ball to Amari Cooper in the back of the end zone with 2:44 remaining.
“I have a lot of faith in Jacoby,” Stefanski said. “I think he is playing well, and that was a bad play. He knows that. He is beating himself up about that. He is making some big plays in these games, both with his arm and with his feet, to give ourselves a chance to go score points or whatever it is. Jacoby will be in those moments again. It might be this week or it might be the following week, and I expect him to come through.”
Brissett is completing 64% of his passes for 1,060 yards with five touchdowns and the three picks.
While may point to the interceptions, they haven’t been fatal – or the sole reason why the Browns have lost to the Jets, Falcons and now L.A.
“To play quarterback in the National Football League, you are going to have some tough moments,” Stefanski said. “That is a hard gig. He made some really, really great plays for us yesterday. He has made great plays. There are going to plays that you want back. Like you mentioned, he is hard on himself, but he needs to and we need to turn the page and start pouring everything you have into this next week. That is what I expect him to do.”
Big play from MJ – Had the Browns pulled that one out Sunday, rookie cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. would have been credited with the play that saved the day.
Emerson broke up Justin Herbert’s fourth down pass to Mike Williams with 1:10 remaining giving the Browns the ball and new life at the Chargers 45.
“Just played through his hands, a good play to try to give us a chance,” Emerson said.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley thought Emerson would be the perfect defender to target with Williams.
“He is a great receiver,” Emerson said. “He is big, physical. Obviously, I am big and physical. I was excited to line up against him whenever I could.”
Failing in the fourth – Despite Emerson’s heroics, once again, the Browns failed in the final quarter.
Brissett and the offense were only able to gain 10 yards before Cade York pushed the 54-yard field goal wide right.
“We just have to go finish,” Stefanski said. “We have a really good drive to get down there and don’t come away with any points. We had an opportunity at the end there, as well. Again, I can talk all about it, but we just have to go do it.”
It’s the third time in five games Cleveland came up short when it mattered most with the game on the line.
“They have been tough just because we have been so close,” receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones said. “But I love the guys in the room that we have, the teammates and coaches that we have. I think being resilient is easy for us because we are just going to come in every week, every day and try to get better and keep doing our thing.”
Nominated again – For the fourth time in five weeks Browns running back Nick Chubb wan nominated for the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award.
Chubb ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 7.9 yards per carry in Sunday’s loss.
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is also nominated after ripping off 173 yards and a score against Cleveland’s hapless run defense. Saint tight end Taysom Hill is the third nominee after a 112 yards and three touchdown performance in a win over the Seahawks.
Roster moves – In addition to making official the trade with Atlanta for linebacker Deion Jones, the Browns waived tight end Miller Forrestal, waived tackle Elijah Nkansah from injured reserve and released quarterback josh Rosen from the practice squad.
Injury report – Cornerback Denzel Ward is in concussion protocol
Up next – Players off Tuesday; practice Wednesday.