It’s been one week since the NFL reinstated Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson following a four-game suspension due to a violation of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. And with two games in five days, head coach Hue Jackson has confirmed that Watson will be starting for the Browns against the Houston Texans on Sunday. “Yeah, he’s going to start,” Jackson told reporters on Thursday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “He’s ready, and he’s ready to play.” The NFL originally suspended Watson in August due to a failed drug test carried out by an independent testing lab.
Will Deshaun Watson be Limited in his 1st Start of the Year?
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson said he would be ready to go by the end of practice and could play against Houston this Sunday. “Yeah, he’s going to start. He’s ready, and he’s ready to play,” coach Hue Jackson told reporters on Thursday. The NFL reinstated Watson on Sept. 26 following a four-game suspension due to a failed drug test carried out by an independent testing lab. He finished 15-of-25 for 259 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his five starts, but he lit up the league with a passer rating of 128. Watson said he has been working on timing with head coach Hue Jackson since he returned to the team last week and was encouraged. “I think we’ve just been making sure that when I’m out there, we’re communicating,” he said. “Communicating in the huddle, after the snap … just to ensure we’re on the same page.”
Deshaun Watson is ready to start Sunday: Hue Jackson.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson told reporters on Thursday that he expects quarterback Deshaun Watson to be healthy enough by the end of practice on Friday to play in Cleveland’s Week 5 game against the Houston Texans. Jackson was asked whether there was a chance that this week’s preparation would help Watson in his first start since Week 1, and he said: “I think it will. I think it will. You could see him develop. He’s got a lot of natural talent and the ability to go out there and get it done. Protect yourself and make plays, not just the way he throws it.”
Week 6: Texans at Browns – Live stream, chat, predictions for Week 5
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Texans Week 5 Highlights:
Deshaun Watson‘s 1st start at QB since being suspended, and Houston wins 33-17
On Sunday, Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson made his first start at quarterback since being suspended for four games. He replaced Tom Savage in Week 1 and returned from suspension after he was benched in favor of Savage. Watson rallied the team from a 17-9 halftime deficit to beat the Cardinals 33-17. Watson completed 25 of 34 passes for 269 yards, three touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and one interception. Watson’s first throw was a 32-yard touchdown to Will Fuller. It was his second straight game with at least two touchdowns, and he has only been starting since Week 1, so this is his best stretch yet.
Throughout the game, Watson was shown wearing the old-school 33 Texans jersey and even had a red jersey on underneath his white uniform. Texans fans were very excited that they would finally have a quarterback that could also be a threat on the ground.
Texans vs. Brown’s prediction: Texans win 7.5 – Moneyline and Spread
The Cleveland Browns (0-5) will play host to the Houston Texans (2-3) in Week 9 of NFL action on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET and broadcast on CBS in select markets (free live stream via FuboTV ).
The Browns were blown out by the previously winless Steelers last week, 41-17. DeShone Kizer completed 17 33 pass attempts for 182 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. He did rush for a touchdown. Isaiah Crowell rushed 18 times for 60 yards, while Duke Johnson Jr. had seven carries for 25 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards. Kizer and Crowell are both dangerous in the passing game, but the Browns have too much trouble running the ball, with Kizer leading the way on offense.
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The Texans are looking to keep their two-game winning streak going, having beaten the Colts and Rams before the bye. They were impressive in their win over Indianapolis, but they did not look as good against a dreadful Rams team.
The Texan’s defense is quietly having a very good season despite ranking 22nd in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed. The Browns have the speediest wide receiver group in the league, so this will be a tough challenge for the Texan’s secondary.
NFL Picks – Week 9: Texans vs. Browns picks, predictions for Texans-Browns game
The Brown’s lineup for their Week 9 matchup with the Houston Texans is out, and it looks a little more familiar than what we have seen the last couple of weeks. DeShaun Watson has been cleared for inactive, but he is not starting. He will be listed as a backup quarterback. Kevin Hogan will start in his place, with Cody Kessler backing him up. The Browns also released their final game-day roster Saturday afternoon. Cleveland’s game time is 1 p.m.
After their bye week, the Browns will face the Miami Dolphins in Week 10 after beating the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Cleveland was only able to put up seven points in the loss to Cincinnati, but a lot of that has been attributed to the poor play of quarterback DeShone Kizer. Kizer was picked off twice and made questionable decisions on third-down throws. He finished the game with his second-worst total for passing yards (143) and his second-worst completion percentage (50 percent). The Browns will look to get him the ball more in Week 10.