PHILADELPHIA − The reason both quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Deshaun Watson, not to mention the rest of the perceived starters, are sitting out the preseason game between the Eagles and Cleveland Browns on Thursday is an easy one.
The two teams got all the work they needed during the joint practice sessions during the week. That was where both teams could be physical − as evidenced by the shoving matches Tuesday − in a controlled setting, without some third-string defensive lineman taking out a quarterback during the game.
If Hurts and Watson had played Thursday, it would be as obvious to the 65,000 or so fans at Lincoln Financial Field as it was to the select few hundred who attended the practice sessions at the NovaCare Complex: The Eagles are much better off with their $255 million quarterback than the Browns are with their $230 million QB.
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It goes beyond the fact that Watson threw three interceptions in two days of practice sessions − all to Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. Hurts threw one interception, and overall played better, even though he was under siege for much of Monday’s practice.
The Browns paid a king’s ransom not only in salary, but to get Watson from the Houston Texans. They sent the Texans first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024; a 2023 third-round pick; and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
The trade came after Watson sat out the entire 2021 season upon demanding a trade. And it came just before Watson was suspended for the first 11 games last season, the result of two dozen sexual assault lawsuits filed against him by massage therapists. All but two of the cases were settled.
If Watson doesn’t revert to his Houston form, Cleveland is not only stuck with salary cap hits of $63 million in each of the next three years (his cap hit is $20 million this season), but the Browns are also missing all of those early-round picks that they traded away.
Eagles 1st possession results in a safety; Browns lead 2-0
The Eagles appeared to dodge a bullet when Browns running back John Kelly fumbled on 1st-and-goal from the Eagles’ 1. Nakobe Dean forced the fumble and K’Von Wallace recovered it, giving the Eagles the ball at the 2.
But after an incomplete pass, Kenny Gainwell, getting his first action of the summer, was tackled in the end zone for a safety. That gave Cleveland an early 2-0 lead.
Marcus Mariota starts at QB, Nakobe Dean also playing
Mariota got the start in place of Hurts. Linebacker Nakobe Dean was the only perceived starter to play after sitting out last week’s game with an injury.
Other notable players in uniform included defensive linemen and rookies Jalen Carter, who made the tackle on the first play of the game. Also, Nolan Smith played, as did all of the running backs except for D’Andre Swift. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had said all of the running backs will play during the preseason. Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott, who sat out last week, played Thursday. Swift played last week, and is sitting out tonight.
Rashaad Penny, coming back from an injury, is the only one of the main four running backs to play in both games.
Haason Reddick has thumb surgery, report; will he return for opener?
Edge rusher Haason Reddick wasn’t going to play in the preseason games anyway. And now he won’t after he reportedly had thumb surgery this week.
Reddick, who had 16 sacks last season, suffered the injury at some point during practice Monday with the Browns. He didn’t practice Tuesday, and likely won’t for at least a few weeks.
An NFL source, however, said the Eagles are confident that Reddick will be ready to go for the regular-season opener on Sept. 10 against the New England Patriots.
For now, rookie Nolan Smith will get the bulk of Reddick’s first-team reps.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
