BEREA, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Aug. 12, 2022.
Following a Cleveland Browns 24-13 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski had lots to address.
On Saturday afternoon, Stefanski provided many updates to the public, including information about center Nick Harris's injury, Deshaun Watson's apology and Jacoby Brissett's role as quarterback for the 2022-23 season.
Potential season-ending injury for Harris
After just the second snap of the game on Friday, Harris, the starting center for the Browns, was carted off the field after hurting his knee.
Stefanski broke the news Saturday that Harris could potentially miss the whole season after undergoing further medical evaluation and receiving the results of his MRI.
"On the injury front, Nick Harris is likely going to need surgery, which would end his season," said Stefanski. "We are still gathering information, though, there, so I want to make sure that we have all of the information before we come to that conclusion.”
Stefanski spoke highly of Harris's work during training camp so far.
"All of these injuries stink. You do not like anybody to get injured. Nick certainly is a guy who has been working so hard this offseason," said Stefanski. "Really hoping that it is not a season-long thing because the kid just worked so hard. When it comes to roster-related things, that is where Andrew [Berry] and his crew work at that. I will tell you, Ethan [Pocic] went in there and did a really nice job. He has been with us since April. We went out and got him for a reason. Excited about what he did last night.”
Jacoby Brissett's future at quarterback
The quarterback uncertainty continues as the Browns head into the second week of the preseason.
Currently, the Browns are awaiting an announcement on the NFL's appeal from Peter C. Harvey of whether Watson will be suspended for more than six games, the initial suspension put in place by independent judge Sue L. Robinson.
Beginning Sunday, Brissett will be taking the majority of first-team offensive reps at training camp for the Browns.
“That has been the plan really from the beginning is just to at some point let Jacoby get the majority of them," said Stefanski. "Still work Deshaun, still work Josh Dobbs and still work Josh Rosen, but Jacoby will get the majority starting this block.”
“Jacoby has gotten a lot of reps to date. I go back to the nine-week offseason program, and the weeks we have been together, he has gotten a ton of reps with the ones and with the twos," said Stefanski. "Even the way we structure our routes versus air and individual period, he has gotten a lot of reps with the quote-unquote ones and the twos. He will keep on that same process and making sure he is running the show when he is in there. He does a nice job in the quarterback meeting room with those guys, so I just think this is also the natural progression for him moving forward.”
Watson's apology
Prior to Friday's preseason game, Watson apologized to "all of the women" he has impacted.
"Look, I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all of the women that I have impacted in this situation,” said Watson in an interview. "The decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back, but I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character, and I am going to keep pushing forward.”
Stefanski commented on Saturday that Watson is working on growing as a person.
"I just think Deshaun has been very committed to being the best version of himself," said Stefanski. "That is off the field, and that is on the field obviously when he is in this building, but more so, I do think he wants to learn and grow as a person. That is important.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on Aug. 9, 2022.