Kevin Stefanski Announces Most Starters Will Play Friday Night

Browns Head Coach announces that majority of starters will play but declines to answer who will not. He also hesitated in specifying how long they will play in the game.

During his media availability on Wednesday, Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski announced that the majority of starters will play on Friday night at Cleveland Browns stadium against the Washington Commanders.

When asked how much time the starters would see in the game, Stefasnski said "we will see if it's one, two or three series, we will play it by ear." He later explained that it just depends on how the series play out and said they have more of a pitch count in mind.

Stefanski wouldn't commit to naming which starters would and would not play but rather "if they are able, they will be uniform." This is him acknowledging the value to everyone getting dressed in pads and going through the warmups until kickoff.

There are certain starters that will almost certainly be held out. Players like Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio, Denzel Ward and Amari Cooper are likely to be held out as an injury to one could significantly change the forecast of the 2023 season. 

For Stefanski, the decision to play starters including your franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson is one that he doesn't take lightly. Stefanski must have spent plenty of time deliberating with his staff and the teams personnel department over the decision. 

With a very tough stretch of games to open the season the Browns probably feel a sense of urgency to come out of the gates strong to create momentum. The theme of this entire offseason has been making Watson as comfortable as possible. Stefanski and his offensive staff have gone to great lengths to evolve their system to fit Watson's strengths.

The team has also acknowledged that rust played a factor for Watson over the final six games of last season and for him every rep in the huddle, calling plays and lining guys up at scrimmage will be valuable.