\n<\/p>\n
A picture\u2014perhaps one taken from the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia\u2014is worth a thousand words, as you\u2019ve heard before.<\/p>\n
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry must be one for brevity, then, because he delivered a snapshot of the team\u2019s season in merely 21.<\/p>\n
Standing in the majestic mountain backdrop of The Greenbrier last month as the Browns opened training camp, Berry spoke about quarterback Deshaun Watson.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur biggest focus with Deshaun is just making sure that he\u2019s available,\u201d Berry said. \u201cI think the rest will take care of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t say.<\/p>\n
Still just 28, Watson counts youth on his side, if not durability. His lack of appearances and production since joining the Browns in 2022 are well-publicized.<\/p>\n
An 11-game suspension stemming from multiple accusations of sexual misconduct curtailed most of his debut season with the Browns. A season-ending shoulder injury Watson suffered on November 12 in Baltimore limited him in 2023. It also paved the way for veteran Joe Flacco to vacate his couch and help guide Cleveland to 11 wins and a berth in the AFC playoffs.<\/p>\n
Keeping Watson upright ahead of the September 8 season opener against Dallas remains the goal, with the Browns banking on their QB turning a corner so long as he simply gets there. But wouldn\u2019t it benefit the Browns to trot him out for a series or two in the preseason?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been more than nine months, after all, since Watson faced a pass rush in a game situation, exhibition or otherwise. His completion percentage in 12 starts with the Browns is a meager 59.8.<\/p>\n
In mid-August, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski indicated the plan was for Watson to start Saturday<\/a> as Cleveland visits the Seattle Seahawks in its preseason finale.<\/p>\n Those snaps would mark the first of the preseason for Watson, who experienced what the team called \u201cgeneral arm soreness\u201d this week, possibly muddling his status for Saturday even as Stefanski said the injury wasn\u2019t overly concerning.<\/p>\n