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Watson quiets the off-field noise with a steady performance for the Browns in a win over the Jaguars

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Watson quiets the off-field noise with a steady performance for the Browns in a win over the Jaguars
Sport

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Watson quiets the off-field noise with a steady performance for the Browns in a win over the Jaguars

2024-09-17 05:56 Last Updated At:06:01

CLEVELAND (AP) — Between the lines for three-plus hours, Deshaun Watson was able to put aside all the distractions and problems.

That doesn't mean they've gone away.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks for an open receiver during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks for an open receiver during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks at a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks at a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaps over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) on a run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaps over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) on a run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question from a reporter during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question from a reporter during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland's quarterback bounced back from a rough return in the season opener and delivered some big plays on Sunday as the Browns withstood an ugly, penalty-filled performance and held off the Jacksonville Jaguars 18-13.

For Watson, it was both a confidence booster and temporary diversion to his ongoing legal troubles after another woman filed a civil lawsuit against him alleging sexual assault and battery for an incident in 2020.

Watson is being investigated again by the NFL, which will determine if he violated its personal conduct policy a second time. The woman's attorney said last week his client has indicated a willingness to speak to the league.

If Watson is suspended, it's possible the Browns can void the final two years of the record-breaking $230 million contract they signed him to in 2022.

That's all speculation at this point. The fact is Watson played with poise in helping the Browns (1-1) recover from a horrendous Week 1 loss to Dallas and change the narrative of his and Cleveland's season — for now.

“He understands that he’ll do whatever it takes to win,” coach Kevin Stefanski said.

Watson's numbers weren't great: 22 of 34 for 186 yards and a 78.8 rating. But he started strong, going 7 of 8 on Cleveland's opening 16-play, 89-yard drive that chewed up 9:14 and he capped with a 1-yard TD run.

Unlike a week ago in his first game since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury last November, Watson was decisive. He got rid of the ball quickly and appeared to recognize coverages better.

And, he didn't turn the ball over.

“I thought offensively, and Deshaun in particular, we played clean,” Stefanski said Monday. “We played on time. He spread the ball out, was very good in his reads throughout the day. Kind of took what was there if (option) No. 1 wasn’t there. Moved on to No. 2 and played really clean.”

Watson also made a couple of plays that can't be diagrammed on a whiteboard.

With the pocket collapsing, Watson's instincts took over and his elusiveness allowed him to avoid would-be sackers, buy time and complete passes on the move.

There was also a major blunder as Watson inexplicably threw a pass on third down in the final two minutes with the Browns on the verge of victory. Watson was told to take the sack if the play broke down; he didn't.

The Browns survived, so all is forgiven.

“Deshaun got a game ball,” Stefanski said. “He played well. He helped us win. Obviously that play wasn’t exactly how we wanted it to go, but he’s a battler and I think that is very evident.”

The win quieted the noise around Watson.

There's no telling if it will last.

Cleveland's defense passed its first road test, holding the Jaguars to a touchdown and two field goals.

It was a positive sign and temporary turnaround for the unit, which was strong at home and soft away from it in 2023. The performance came after five defensive players went on injured reserve last week.

The Browns created pressure up front and the secondary did its job blanketing receivers. It helped that Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, who had 11 catches and two TDs last year against Cleveland, didn't play after hurting his hamstring in warmups.

Penalties are piling up. The Browns were called for 13, giving them 24 in two games and triggering more criticism that Cleveland's starters should have played in the preseason.

While trying to put the Jaguars away, the Browns were whistled for three penalties in four plays, pushing them back and out of field-goal range.

“We need to be better in that area,” Stefanski said. “It’s hard to win. We don’t need to make it harder.”

In his second game with Cleveland, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy finished with five catches for 73 yards.

Jeudy, who came over in a trade from Denver in March, made two tough grabs along the sideline to keep drives moving.

“Jerry’s doing a nice job,” Stefanski said. “We’re going to continue to learn more about him and how to line him up, where to line him up, those types of things.”

For the second week in a row, Amari Cooper was a nonfactor. Cleveland's No. 1 wide receiver had just three catches for 11 yards and dropped another long pass from Watson.

That's uncharacteristic for the sure-handed veteran.

“Small sample size,” Stefanski said. “I’ve seen it click with those two guys many times, so we’ll just keep working.”

WR David Bell will undergo season-ending surgery after dislocating his right hip. ... RB Pierre Strong Jr. is considered week to week with a hamstring injury. ... DE Ogbo Okoronkwo cleared concussion protocol after being checked for a head injury. ... Stefanski didn't have specific updates on Myles Garrett (foot) or CB Denzel Ward (shoulder), who were both limited. ... Stefanski hasn't ruled out TE David Njoku (sprained ankle) “yet” for this week's game.

14% — Cleveland's alarming third-down conversion rate (4 for 29).

Maybe a chance for the offense to find another gear against the New York Giants.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks for an open receiver during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks for an open receiver during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks at a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski looks at a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaps over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) on a run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaps over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) on a run during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question from a reporter during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson answers a question from a reporter during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Next Article

Chargers plan to sign Ezekiel Elliott to practice squad after his release by Cowboys

2025-01-07 11:50 Last Updated At:12:01

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers are planning to sign running back Ezekiel Elliott to their practice squad pending a physical, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday night.

The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the move had not been completed.

The Chargers (11-6) are the No. 5 seed in the AFC and open the playoffs at Houston on Saturday in a wild-card round game.

Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 31 so that he could possibly sign with a playoff team seeking a veteran running back. The same thing happened last season when Dalvin Cook was cut by the New York Jets and played for Baltimore in a divisional-round win over Houston.

This season in 15 games, Elliott had just 74 carries for 226 yards with a 3.1-yard-per-carry average, all career lows. The two-time NFL rushing champion has 9,130 yards and 74 rushing touchdowns in nine seasons.

J.K. Dobbins is the Chargers' starting running back. Gus Edwards missed the last two games of the regular season with an ankle injury.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott works out prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott works out prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

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