Overview
- Cleveland designated Deshaun Watson for return to practice, triggering a 21-day period to activate him or keep him on reserve for the rest of the season.
- Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the focus is on Watson practicing and declined to say whether the veteran will play this year.
- Shedeur Sanders was named the starter for a third straight game against the Titans, with Stefanski praising his progress and keeping the approach week to week.
- Local reporter Mary Kay Cabot says the team sees something in Sanders and expects Dillon Gabriel to stay sidelined, while ESPN insiders urge Cleveland to start Sanders the rest of the season to inform offseason plans.
- Watson has not played since October 2024 after two Achilles surgeries, and his fully guaranteed $230 million contract and the Browns’ 3-9 record underscore the organization’s evaluation posture; a recent Jerry Jeudy–Sanders sideline exchange was downplayed by Stefanski.