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With speculation running rampant that appeals officer Peter Harvey could suspend Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson indefinitely before Friday night, barring him from participating in the preseason meeting in Jacksonville, the Browns made a convincing chess move.
They announced Wednesday that Watson will start the preseason in Week 1.
That left no doubt about Cleveland’s plans, though the team was under no obligation to tell anyone what it intended to do. And it feels like an effort by the Browns to challenge Harvey into action sooner rather than later so the Browns can plan accordingly.
Harvey may wait as long as possible to issue a suspension that would have barred Watson from playing Friday night, given the possibility that the NFL Players Association could rush to court for an order allowing Watson to play. If, for example, Harvey issues his decision shortly before 5:00 PM ET on Friday, the NFLPA will have approximately 120 minutes to obtain a temporary restraining order.
Regardless, everyone now knows that Watson will play on Friday night. Unless Harvey decides he can’t — and the NFLPA is unable to block enforcement of that decision in court.
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