Browns' Deshaun Watson sitting out preseason opener as he continues recovery from shoulder surgery

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson will not play in Saturday's exhibition opener against the Green Bay Packers as the Browns continue to take a cautious approach after he underwent right shoulder surgery in November.

Coach Kevin Stefanski announced his plans with Watson before Tuesday's practice, which was moved indoors because of rain and high winds. There were several tornado warnings across Northeast Ohio.

Jameis Winston will start at quarterback for the Browns and make his debut with the team after signing as a free agent in March.

Watson has thrown nearly every day in training camp so far, but the Browns are closely monitoring his reps and workload while getting him ready for the Sept. 8 season opener against Dallas.

Stefanski emphasized the team is taking a day-to-day approach with Watson, who has played in just 12 games in his first two seasons with Cleveland. Watson was suspended six games by the NFL in 2022.

The 28-year-old suffered a fracture to his glenoid bone in Week 10 at Baltimore last season and underwent surgery.

Earlier in camp, Watson said he's feeling healthy and is aiming this season to “block out noise.” The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.

Stefanski said some of Cleveland's players will start and play against the Packers.

Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said quarterback Jordan Love will start and play along with the Packers' other first-teamers.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 26, 2024, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Ken Dorsey, right, offensive coordinator, watch during an NFL football training camp practice Saturday, July 27, 2024, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (4) and Jameis Winston (5) high-five during an NFL football training camp practice Saturday, July 27, 2024, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes under pressure from linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during an NFL football training camp practice Friday, July 26, 2024, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Saturday, July 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers made his return to the field for the New York Jets one year after his highly anticipated debut with the team ended after just four plays.

Rodgers started the season opener Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers in his first game back since tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 1 last season.

His first play back was a toss to Breece Hall for 4 yards. The Jets ran again on the second play before Rodgers threw a pass that was dropped by Allen Lazard on third down to force a punt.

The 40-year-old Rodgers spent his first 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, winning four MVPs and one Super Bowl. He was traded before the 2023 season to the quarterback-starved Jets, who have been searching for a franchise QB since Joe Namath left nearly a half-century ago.

But Rodgers' first season with New York ended almost as quickly as it started. He ran onto the field with an American flag as part of a pregame celebration.

Then on his opening drive against Buffalo, Rodgers threw one incompletion and was sacked by Leonard Floyd and injured the Achilles. Rodgers made an attempt to return late last season but was unable to pull it off.

He didn't play at all in the preseason so now will get his first game action of any kind against San Francisco — the team that memorably skipped over drafting him No. 1 overall in 2005 to take Alex Smith instead.

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)