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Deshaun Watson throws interception on Browns' first drive of the season, fumbles 2 possessions later

Deshaun Watson endured a dreadful beginning to the Cleveland Browns' 2026 campaign during their season opener on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. After beating out Shedeur Sanders for the starting role late in August to secure his first regular-season action since 2024, the veteran passer surrendered an interception on merely his third throw of the contest during Cleveland's opening drive.

Just two series afterward, Watson coughed up a fumble to compound the offensive struggles for the 8.5-point underdogs, having made only 19 appearances for the franchise since joining in 2022.

The miscues proved immediately costly, as the Jacksonville defense converted the early gift into points. Taking advantage of the turnover, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with receiver Parker Washington on a 30-yard touchdown strike to give the home team an early edge, validating prior comments by Todd Monken regarding the challenges of Watson's return after nearly two years away from competitive regular-season action.

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