Deshaun Watson is gearing up to make his regular season return with the Cleveland Browns as they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars for Week 1. The Browns’ itinerary includes two road games, with the next game set against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. The coaching staff will soon decide whether Watson will start at home against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. This decision comes after Watson faced boos during the preseason games in Cleveland.

Browns head coach Todd Monken disclosed a challenge for Watson: starting right guard Tevon Jenkins is out due to a back injury for the Jaguars game. Austin Barber, a third-round draft pick, will step up as the starting right guard. Cleveland’s offensive line will feature two rookies, with Barber joining Spencer Fano, a first-round pick, starting at left tackle.

“Just the way they’ve practiced, just what I’ve seen every day,” Monken commented confidently via 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 well and confidently.”

Watson’s mobility will be tested, especially with the new offensive line lineup. Previously, Watson showcased significant pocket escape capabilities during his time with the Houston Texans, but this has been less evident in Cleveland. Returning from an Achilles injury, Watson’s performance depends greatly on the offensive line’s capacity.

In 2024, Watson faced challenges, recording a 1-6 starter record for Cleveland before his Achilles injury. He completed 63.4% of his passes, tallying 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.