The Cleveland Browns open the 2022 season at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11 at Bank of America Stadium.
And Jacoby Brissett -- not Deshaun Watson -- is in line to be the starter at quarterback for that game.
On Aug. 18, the NFL and NFL Players Association agreed on a disciplinary settlement for Watson, who will serve an 11-game suspension and pay a $5 million fine after he was accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Watson will return in Week 13 against his former team, the Houston Texans.
Provided they don't make another quarterback trade, the Browns will be turning to Brissett to keep their playoff hopes alive until Watson returns.
It is a challenge he doesn't "take lightly," Brissett said after the Watson settlement news.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Jacoby Brissett, Josh Dobbs
The onus has now fallen on Brissett to keep Cleveland above water and in the playoff hunt until Watson returns. Cleveland could still explore the possibility of bringing in Jimmy Garoppolo, especially once Jimmy G is released. But as of now, the plan is to move forward with Brissett.
RUNNING BACK (4): Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, D'Ernest Johnson, Jerome Ford
Despite demanding a trade or extension, Hunt has gotten neither and remains in the plans for this season. Ford has flashed better receiving skills and more versatility than his college numbers suggested, making him the obvious heir apparent to Hunt, should this be Hunt's final season with the Browns.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, Demetric Felton Jr., Michael Woods II, Mike Harley Jr.
Receiver was easily the most underwhelming position group of training camp. Jakeem Grant Sr. tore his Achilles, Schwartz continued to struggle with drops and Woods, who showed promise early on, injured his hamstring. Even with Cooper, this group is a major question mark heading into the season, especially considering Watson won't be throwing to them.
TIGHT END (3): David Njoku, Harrison Bryant, Miller Forristall
The Browns are banking Njoku will perform like a top 10 TE this season, which is why they're now paying him like one with a $57 million extension he signed in the spring. Bryant has been steady throughout training camp. Forristall is the place-holder here as the No. 3 TE, but Zaire Mitchell-Paden, an undrafted rookie out of Florida Atlantic, made a ton of plays in training camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, Michael Dunn, Blake Hance, James Hudson, Chris Hubbard
Losing starting center Nick Harris to a season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener was a blow for a line that still boasts the talent to be among the league's best. Next up at center is Pocic, who had 40 career starts in Seattle. The Browns probably end up keeping a 10th offensive lineman, but that might come from another team's roster.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, Jordan Elliott, Taven Bryan, Tommy Togiai, Perrion Winfrey, Alex Wright, Chase Winovich, Isaiah Thomas
Coming into training camp, defensive tackle was the biggest question mark on the defense. But with the development of both Elliott and Togiai, the Browns feel much better about their rotation inside. Especially considering the DTs will be flanked by one of the top pass-rushing duos in the league in Garrett and Clowney.
LINEBACKER (6): Anthony Walker, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Tony Fields II, Dakota Allen
Phillips, after missing most of last season with a torn biceps tendon, has showed in camp that he can be the inside linebacker of the future. Allen gets the nod here for his contributions on special teams.
CORNERBACK (5): Denzel Ward, Greg Newsome II, Greedy Williams, Martin Emerson, A.J. Green
Ward made a healthy return from a minicamp foot injury. Newsome underwent a seamless transition to nickelback. And Emerson displayed rapid development for a rookie as a rangy press corner. This could be one talented CB corps for years to come.
SAFETY (5): John Johnson III, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Richard LeCounte III, D'Anthony Bell
Bell, an undrafted rookie, could make the team after a stellar camp. The Browns are also thrilled with Delpit, who seems primed for a breakout season as a starter after working his way back from tearing his Achilles in camp two years ago.
SPECIALISTS (3): Charley Hughlett (long snapper), Cade York (kicker), Corey Bojorquez (punter)
The Browns were banking that Grant could transform their return units, which had been rather pedestrian in recent years. Instead, Cleveland will be counting on Felton and Ford to give the return game a much-needed boost.