Browns to Field Injured Deshaun Watson in Preseason Finale
- Browns plan to play quarterback Deshaun Watson in the preseason finale despite injury concerns with tackles.
- It is uncertain who will be blocking for Watson during his upcoming preseason debut.
- Despite the injury issues, the Browns are sticking to their plan to have Watson on the field.
The Cleveland Browns are grappling with a significant injury crisis among their offensive tackles following a preseason loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Three additional tackles were injured during the game, compounding the team's challenges as they await the return of starters Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin, both sidelined with season-ending injuries. Despite the setbacks, head coach Kevin Stefanski remains focused on the team's objectives and has not indicated any changes to their game plan. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has been recovering from shoulder surgery, was held out of the first two preseason games as the coaching staff carefully monitors his rehabilitation. Watson, who has struggled with injuries since joining the Browns, participated fully in joint practices last week and is expected to be ready for the regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on September 8. Stefanski emphasized the importance of evaluating their options in the coming days. In the recent game against the Vikings, James Hudson III, who has been filling in for Wills, suffered an ankle injury, while backups Germain Ifedi and Hakeem Adeniji also sustained injuries. Stefanski confirmed that Hudson will not play this week but is expected to return soon. Ifedi is likely to be available, while Adeniji will be out for an extended period. Despite the injuries, Stefanski expressed confidence in the remaining players. Additionally, fullback Giovanni Ricci is expected to miss several weeks due to a knee injury sustained during the game, further complicating the Browns' preparations for the upcoming season.