Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Thursday that Watson (shoulder) has been making throws of up to 40 yards, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. While not quite willing to guarantee that Watson will be ready for the regular-season opener, Berry did confirm that's the expectation and said the Browns are "pretty optimistic" about the QB's rehab process so far. Watson spoke with reporters Tuesday, mentioning that the team medical staff favors a cautious approach that would see him wait until training camp before returning to full practice participation. The 28-year-old thus figures to be limited during OTAs, giving free-agent additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley more chances to throw to the team's top receivers. The Browns traded for WR Jerry Jeudy in March and still have WRs Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore as well as TE David Njoku. There's also a strong chance of improved blocking this season, after 2023 saw the Browns lose their top three OTs to season-ending knee injuries. Watson is the biggest variable though, perhaps more so because of his disappointing 2022-23 performance than the ongoing rehab from Nov. 21 surgery to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder.
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Status
QUESTIONABLE - Shoulder - Surgery Expected Return: 2024-05-01Latest Deshaun Watson news
Passing
| Year | Team | GP | ATT | CMP | CMP% | YDS | AVG | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CLE | 6 | 171 | 105 | 61% | 1,115 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| 2022 | CLE | 6 | 170 | 99 | 58% | 1,102 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| 2020 | HOU | 16 | 544 | 382 | 70% | 4,823 | 9 | 33 | 7 |
| 2019 | HOU | 15 | 495 | 333 | 67% | 3,852 | 8 | 26 | 12 |
Rushing
Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Thursday that Watson (shoulder) has been making throws of up to 40 yards, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. While not quite willing to guarantee that Watson will be ready for the regular-season opener, Berry did confirm that's the expectation and said the Browns are "pretty optimistic" about the QB's rehab process so far. Watson spoke with reporters Tuesday, mentioning that the team medical staff favors a cautious approach that would see him wait until training camp before returning to full practice participation. The 28-year-old thus figures to be limited during OTAs, giving free-agent additions Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley more chances to throw to the team's top receivers. The Browns traded for WR Jerry Jeudy in March and still have WRs Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore as well as TE David Njoku. There's also a strong chance of improved blocking this season, after 2023 saw the Browns lose their top three OTs to season-ending knee injuries. Watson is the biggest variable though, perhaps more so because of his disappointing 2022-23 performance than the ongoing rehab from Nov. 21 surgery to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder.
Watson (shoulder) said Tuesday he's already resumed "throwing full speed" but that he's uncertain how large a workload he'll handle during OTAs and minicamp, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Watson clarified that certain members of the Browns' medical staff are in favor of a more conservative approach to the quarterback's recovery from right shoulder surgery, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, which would wait until training camp to have him fully practice. Still, Watson has been fully forthright in his confidence to be available for the Browns' season opener, and there appear to be no real worries about his Week 1 status. In case Watson misses part of the offseason, or struggles during the fall, Cleveland can lean on newly-signed, experienced backups Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.
Watson, who is bouncing back from shoulder surgery he underwent Nov. 21, noted Thursday he has no doubt that he'll be ready for the Browns' season opener, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Per Cabot, Watson resumed throwing as of March 19, with the quarterback acknowledging that his recovery process is "day to day" and that he plans to "to take it one step at a time." In the coming months, part of that process will involve load management, with Watson expressing confidence that he'll be ready and in top form in advance of Week 1. That said, Watson figures to be eased back into the mix once the Browns resume on-field activities, a scenario that should result in newcomers Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley seeing added signal-caller reps until Watson is deemed ready to practice without limitations.
Watson (shoulder) recently said on his QB Unplugged podcast that he's "in a great spot" and has "plenty of time to ramp up the throwing sessions," per Nick Shook of NFL.com. Watson is believed to have resumed throwing in mid-to-late March, after undergoing surgery Nov. 21 to repair a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. He'll presumably be absent/limited throughout OTAs and minicamp but may be ready for full participation (or close to it) when the Browns open training camp in late July. While a fully guaranteed contract ensures Watson will get another shot as the starter despite his disappointing performance in 2022 and 2023, the Browns prioritized QB depth this offseason in signing experienced backups Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley. They also upgraded their receiver group, trading for Jerry Jeudy and then signing him to a three-year extension.
Watson (shoulder) could begin light throwing as soon as Tuesday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Watson will have limitations this spring after underdoing surgery Nov. 21 to repair a displaced fracture in his right shoulder socket, but the Browns expect him to be ready for training camp in late July. He's been rehabbing in Los Angeles, with private QBs coach Quincy Avery and Browns TE David Njoku flying out Monday to join him. While a fully guaranteed contract ensures Watson will get another chance as the starting QB after two disappointing seasons in Cleveland, the team has much better depth at his position for 2024 after signing Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley earlier in March.
Watson said as long as his ankle isn't broken, torn or hanging by a ligament, he'll be suiting up for the divisional matchup. Per Cabot, the quarterback's injury isn't expected to be that severe, but fantasy managers should still wait for official confirmation from the MRI results. Watson suffered the injury late in the second quarter of last Sunday's narrow win over the Ravens and missed the final offensive snap of the first half but returned for the second half.
Watson elaborated that his left ankle was rolled up on by a Baltimore defender just before halftime. The quarterback went to the locker room late in the second quarter to have his ankle re-taped, and he never felt he was in danger of being ruled out. Watson played the second half of the comeback win and expects to be available when the Browns host the Steelers in a pivotal Week 11 clash between AFC North rivals.
Watson had only 79 yards on 20 attempts in the first half, but he led a comeback effort in the final quarter to earn the win and turn around his stat line. His lone touchdown came on a 10-yard throw while on the run to Elijah Moore, though he also connected on several longer throws to Amari Cooper and David Njoku. Watson hasn't delivered the fantasy performance expected of him this season, though his effort Sunday came against one of the better defenses in the league. To make things more difficult, Watson hurt his ankle late in the second quarter and was spotted with a boot after the game, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
Watson seemed to operate without restrictions after missing Week 8 with his lingering shoulder injury, uncorking throws of varying distance and showing particularly impressive chemistry with top target Amari Cooper, who he connected with on five occasions for a team-high 139 yards and an 11-yard touchdown. Watson also hit David Njoku for a five-yard scoring strike in the third quarter, giving the veteran signal-caller his second multi-touchdown game of the campaign. Now seemingly healthy, Watson will have a tough assignment in a Week 10 road matchup against the Ravens.
Career History
Previous Game
2023 Post Season Stats
2023 Regular Season Stats
|
Regular Season
|
passing
|
rushing
|
|||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Date
|
Opp
|
Result
|
ATT
|
CMP
|
CMP%
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
INT
|
CAR
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LNG
|
FD
|
|
11/12
|
W 33-31
|
34
|
20
|
58.8
|
213
|
6.3
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
37
|
4.6
|
0
|
16
|
0
|
|
|
11/5
|
W 27-0
|
30
|
19
|
63.3
|
219
|
7.3
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
22
|
7.3
|
0
|
13
|
0
|
|
|
10/22
|
W 39-38
|
5
|
1
|
20
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
9/24
|
W 27-3
|
33
|
27
|
81.8
|
289
|
8.8
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
16
|
4
|
0
|
10
|
2
|
|
|
9/18
|
L 22-26
|
40
|
22
|
55
|
235
|
5.9
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
22
|
3.7
|
0
|
12
|
0
|
|
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