Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson throws a pass during a practice in Berea, Ohio, on Saturday. David Dermer/Associated Press
BEREA, Ohio — Deshaun Watson sprinted onto the field to a light round of cheers Saturday at the Cleveland Browns’ first open practice of training camp.
The noticeably muted reaction reflected the uncertainty surrounding Cleveland’s controversial new quarterback.
Watson was the focal point as the Browns worked out in front of a near-capacity crowd at their suburban headquarters. He briefly waved while running to the middle of the practice fields, but did not speak with the media.
The 26-year-old quarterback is awaiting a decision from retired judge Sue L. Robinson. She’s determining if Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual misconduct by 24 massage therapists. A lengthy suspension is possible.
“I can’t wait for us to get to play together, whichever week we see him,” Cleveland tight end David Njoku said. “Hopefully, it’s sooner than later. I’m excited. I can’t wait.
“But it’s not hard, we just have to take each day as it is. Whoever we have, we have to put our best foot forward and just keep working.”
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, signed a five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns after being acquired from Houston in exchange for three first-round draft picks in March. He was a member of the Texans during all of the alleged incidents.
Two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on any of the criminal complaints. He has settled 20 of the 24 civil lawsuits filed against him, and the attorney representing the women has said he hopes to take the other four to trial next spring.
There were no boos directed toward Watson at practice, but All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett and standout running back Nick Chubb were welcomed onto the field with much louder, prolonged ovations.
49ERS: Maurice Hurst’s bad injury luck has struck again and it likely will keep him off the field again this season for the 49ers.
Hurst, who broke into the NFL as a promising defensive tackle with the Raiders, is done for 2022 after tearing his biceps in Friday’s training camp practice.
It’s the 49ers’ most severe injury through the offseason program and three practices at camp, though it’s not the only issue among defensive tackles. Starter Arik Armstead sprained his right knee two snaps into camp, and newcomer Hassan Ridgeway endured a minor quadriceps strain Friday. Both linemen will be out a couple of weeks, Coach Kyle Shanahan said.
After re-signing with the 49ers this spring on a $1 million deal, Hurst was one of the somewhat secret weapons on a seemingly deep line that is suddenly thinning, although No. 1 enforcer Nick Bosa is happily healthy in camp, for a change. Hurst was on the first-string defense Friday at left defensive tackle.
COMMANDERS: The retirement of franchise sacks leader Ryan Kerrigan closes an era for Washington football.
Kerrigan was the last of the star players from before the team changed its mascot in the summer of 2020 in favor of the temporary Washington Football Team. Kerrigan was honored Saturday during the first week of the first camp as the Commanders. But much has changed in three years with only 11 players in training camp remaining from the days of the old name.
“Obviously, Ryan spent most of his time here under the old name, but us honoring him as the Commanders I think just continues on the legacy of that name and our team as a whole and just shows that we are still the same group of guys, whether the name has changed or not,” said center Chase Roullier, one of those to have played under all three names in Washington.
GIANTS: Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal were acquaintances when New York drafted them with the fifth and seventh picks overall in the NFL Draft in late April.
It seems now they’re linked in more ways than one: They are teammates and friends, two big men who’ve gone up against each other every day of training camp. And as the first week came to a close Saturday, the rookies also have been penciled in as starters and much is expected.
A linebacker and edge rusher from Oregon, Thibodeaux is going to line up on both sides in coordinator Wink Martindale’s keep-them-guessing defense. Neal, who came out of Alabama and was the second of New York’s first-round choices, has been at at right tackle since organized team activities in the spring.
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