Browns HC addresses ongoing recovery of QB Deshaun Watson

On Wednesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke with reporters about how quarterback Deshaun Watson has fared following shoulder surgery.

"Yeah, I think he looked like himself to me," Stefanski said about Watson, per Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I’ve been able to watch him the last couple of weeks now that we’ve gotten into phase II. So I’ve seen him throw, he’s making great progress and we will continue to just follow the medical team on this, but he looks like himself." 

Watson was limited to just six regular-season appearances last season before he needed what's been called an "uncommon shoulder" procedure. He signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract with the Browns in March 2022 but missed the first 11 contests of his debut Cleveland campaign while serving a suspension related to accusations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at a predraft news conference last month that he was "not going to make any predictions" about when Watson may look like his old self. On Wednesday, the 28-year-old took "mental reps" and simulated throwing during Cleveland's second day of voluntary organized team activities.

"We’re rotating days for now," Stefanski said about when Watson will actually throw. "That will change as we get into minicamp, as, obviously, we get into training camp. But for right now, he’ll be throwing every other day." 

The Browns' mandatory veteran minicamp is scheduled to run from June 11 through June 13. 

Watson thus far has completed 204-of-341 total passes (59.8%) for 2,217 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions during his Cleveland tenure. Veteran Joe Flacco served as a temporary savior for the Browns last season when he went 4-1 as a starter to help guide the club to a playoff berth, but Cleveland then suffered a humiliating 45-14 wild-card loss at the Houston Texans. 

The Browns have since replaced Flacco with Jameis Winston, and Winston presumably will start this fall if Watson cannot go for any reason. Cleveland could move on from Watson next offseason if he disappoints with his play and/or cannot stay healthy.