Deshaun Watson

Watson is working back from a second Achilles tear, and reduced pocket mobility has been a recurring theme since the injury; any setback would be the second major absence in three seasons.

This is the final year of Watson's current contract, compressing his runway to prove he's still a viable starter before Cleveland can move on without a cap-driven excuse to keep him.

Cleveland has invested recent draft capital in skill-position talent (Judkins, Fannin, Concepcion, Boston), giving whoever starts at QB a notably deeper supporting cast than in past seasons.

Head coach Todd Monken publicly settled the QB competition in Watson's favor for Week 1, citing his body of work through camp as giving the offense the best chance to move the ball and score.