Deshaun Watson’s Return and Challenges for Browns in 2026 Season Opener

Deshaun Watson is preparing for his regular season comeback as the Cleveland Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday for Week 1. His return coincides with the Browns’ road opener, followed by another away game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. The team needs to consider whether to start Watson at home against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, a choice influenced by fan reactions during the preseason.

Complicating Watson’s return, Browns head coach Todd Monken announced that starting right guard Tevon Jenkins will miss the Jaguars game due to a back injury. Austin Barber, a third-round draft pick, will replace Jenkins, marking Barber’s debut as a starter. Additionally, rookie Spencer Fano, a first-round pick, will start at left tackle, resulting in two rookies anchoring the offensive line.

“Just the way they’ve practiced, just what I’ve seen every day,” Monken stated confidently, as reported by 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, really well and confidently.”

Injuries on the line pose a challenge for Watson, who aims to regain his mobility after an Achilles injury. His performance with the Browns has not mirrored his escapability seen with the Houston Texans. Watson’s success hinges on strong offensive line protection.

In the 2024 season with the Browns, Watson posted a 1-6 record before his injury, completing 63.4% of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. These statistics underline the importance of fortifying the offensive front to support him.

Further updates on the Browns and NFL developments are available at Newsweek Sports.