Browns Plan to Start Watson in Preseason Opener and More NFL News

The Browns plan to start embattled QB Deshaun Watson in the preseason opener. Lions Williams to wear Stafford's former No. 9, Titans rookie QB Willis likely to redshirt, Ex-NFL star Frank Gore in hot water, and more NFL news.

Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson at QB in preseason opener

On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns announced they plan to start Deshaun Watson at quarterback in their preseason opener on Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, ESPN reported.

The move comes as the NFL appealed the six-game suspension by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson last week, with the league seeking a tougher punishment for Watson and saying it wants a season-long penalty.

NFL Commissioner called the allegations against Watson "egregious" and "predatory behavior."

Lions Jameson Williams to wear Stafford's former No. 9 jersey

Detroit Lions rookie wideout Jameson Williams was seeking to change his jersey number from No. 18 to a single-digit. Before doing so, he reached out to former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and discussed his wearing the No. 9 jersey, Sports Illustrated reported. It has now been announced that Williams will indeed be wearing the No. 9 jersey.

Titans rookie QB Malik Willis likely to redshirt

Quarterback Malik Willis, who played at Auburn before transferring to Liberty where he won the 2020 Dudley award, will likely redshirt this year, according to the Bleacher Report.

Reportedly, Tennessee is very happy with Willis' progression, but if they currently view him as a developmental quarterback.

Prior to the NFL draft, Willis was considered likely to be one of the first quarterbacks off the board and a top-ten pick. But as the draft got underway, he slid to the third round. The first two QBs off the board were Kenny Pickett (No. 20 overall to Pittsburgh) and Desmond Ridder (No. 74 overall to Atlanta).

As far as the starting QB job, Tannehill is under contract through the 2023 season and has played well in Tennessee.

Ex-NFL star Frank Gore charged with assault

Former NFL running back Frank Gore Sr., 39, who ranks third in NFL career rushing yards and played for 16 seasons, most notably with the San Francisco 49ers, was charged with simple assault. 

Allegedly, Gore grabbed a woman by her hair and dragged her across the hallway on the 59th floor of the Havana Tower of Tropicana Atlantic City New Jersey, Fox reported. The victim was a twenty-eight year woman from Miami, Florida. Gore was not charged or arrested at the time, but after the ensuing investigation, he was "charged with simple assault related to the domestic violence incident," Atlantic City police said. Gore's court hearing is in mid-October.