Browns making it official with Watson
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BEREA, Ohio -- Not many thought Deshaun Watson had a chance of reclaiming the starting quarterback job with the Cleveland Browns over the past 22 months.
Since Watson ruptured his right Achilles tendon the first time in a Week 7 game in 2024, owner Jimmy Haslam had said during last year's owners' meetings that the Browns "took a big swing and miss" when they sent three first-round picks to Houston for the controversial quarterback in 2022.
After Shedeur Sanders had a solid first half in last Saturday's 31-7 loss to Buffalo, a frustrated Watson said the boos from the crowd were "personal" and showed "disrespect" after he took the field in Cleveland for the first time in 22 months.
Despite the hurdles and a close competition with Sanders, Watson will be the Browns' starting quarterback for their Sept. 13 opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coach Todd Monken made the announcement Monday after informing Watson and Sanders.
"I took in the full body of work over the course of the offseason to training camp to the games, the joint practice, and ultimately felt like to start the season on the road, Deshaun gave us the best chance to move the ball and score points. I mean, that's really what it's about," Monken said. "I felt that way going into the last game, but I wasn't sure."
Watson has started only 19 games for Cleveland since being acquired from Houston and signing a fully guaranteed $230 million contract that will perhaps go down as one of the worst trades and contracts in NFL history. He is 9-10 with the Browns, with 19 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and an 80.7 passer rating.
Penix sighting
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Michael Penix Jr. has taken a big step in his recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2025 season for the Atlanta Falcons.
Penix participated in team drills for the first time in this preseason. Coach Kevin Stefanski has not said if Penix will play in Friday night's final preseason game at Miami. Penix showed no sign of being limited in the practice.
He has been limited to individual work and seven-on-seven drills.
Elsewhere:
– 49ers owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio and pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools. York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, and was released after posting a $5,000 bond. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both offenses to be served concurrently and was credited with one day served when he pleaded no contest. Records show that York was initially charged with engaging in prostitution but prosecutors amended it to disorderly conduct. He was charged with possessing criminal tools for using his phone to respond to an undercover online prostitution advertisement.