Browns HC Kevin Stefanski says he will 'support' Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has confirmed that reinstated quarterback Deshaun Watson will start this Sunday's game at the Houston Texans, Watson's former team. 

"I think Deshaun has the support of his teammates, has the support of this organization," Stefanski said while speaking with reporters on Monday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Really right now, his focus and my focus is on the Houston game and that’s what we have to do as players, as coaches, is put the blinders on. Whatever’s going on the outside really can’t matter to us. We’ve got to focus on doing our job. And I think he definitely understands that." 

Watson last played in a regular-season game with the Texans on Jan. 3, 2021, as he didn't take a snap throughout the following campaign due to his desire to be traded. The Browns completed a deal with the Texans this past March for the 27-year-old who was suspended for 11 regular-season contests in August regarding much-publicized allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

Two grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal charges, and his legal team settled 23 of 24 lawsuits against him before the start of the ongoing season. A new lawsuit against the signal-caller was filed last month, but that development didn't impact the terms of his reinstatement that became official on Monday. 

With Watson out of action, backup Jacoby Brissett played well but won only four of his 11 starts. The 1-9-1 Texans have the NFL's worst record. 

"'We’ll see' is probably the short answer," Stefanski said about changes to offensive game plans that fans can expect now that Watson is under center. "What we’ll always do is try to maximize the talents of our players so there are things that you certainly will do with Deshaun. There were things that Jacoby was really good at. We just want to always be thinking about our players and doing what they do best. Ultimately, it’s our job to look at our players who we have and what are the things that we want to do to maximize their talents." 

Watson has been practicing with the Browns since Nov. 16 and can expect a hostile environment for multiple reasons when he steps out onto the NRG Stadium turf for his Cleveland regular-season debut.