Deshaun Watson will make his regular season start for the Cleveland Browns as they face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. The Browns have planned back-to-back road games, beginning with Jacksonville and continuing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. The coaching staff must decide if Watson will play at home against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, following boos he received in the preseason in Cleveland.
The challenge for Watson increases as head coach Todd Monken announced starting right guard Tevon Jenkins won’t play against the Jaguars due to a back injury. Austin Barber, a third-round draft pick this year, will replace Jenkins as right guard.
Cleveland is placing trust in two rookies on their offensive line. Both Barber and Spencer Fano, a first-round pick, are set to start. Fano will play at left tackle and Monken expressed confidence in their readiness. “Just the way they’ve practiced, just what I’ve seen every day,” Monken stated through Pro Football Talk. “That’s all you can go by, is what you see every day. And I haven’t seen anything to the contrary that would make me believe that they’re not going to play really, really well and confidently.”
Watson’s mobility may be tested due to the injuries along the offensive line. His capability to escape the pocket in Cleveland has not matched his performance with the Houston Texans. Following an Achilles injury, the offensive line’s effectiveness is crucial for Watson.
In 2024, Watson recorded a 1-6 start for the Browns before his Achilles injury. He completed 63.4% of his passes totaling 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
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