Browns GM shares huge update on recovery of Deshaun Watson

During a Monday appearance on the NFL Network "The Insiders" program, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry strongly suggested quarterback Deshaun Watson will be good to go for the club's regular-season opener versus the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8.

"First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off during the rehabilitation process over the last several months," Berry said about Watson's recovery from the shoulder injury that cost him over half of the 2023 season, per Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "He's really actually ahead of schedule. He's really chomping at the bit to take the governor off so to speak, but really he's had a really nice spring. He's thrown the ball well. Did a really nice job during our 7-on-7 and team periods during this veteran minicamp. So, we're excited as he gets into training camp and gets the pads on."

During mandatory minicamp, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Watson "looked very normal to me" throughout springtime workouts. Berry's update provides more optimism involving the quarterback who hasn't yet made eight starts in a single season since he signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract to finalize a trade from the Houston Texans to the Browns in March 2022.

After Watson served an 11-game suspension during the 2022 campaign related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions, he made six starts this past season before he required surgery to repair his shoulder issue. Amid his recovery, Cleveland replaced former offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with Ken Dorsey in part so that Dorsey could install an offense that ideally will help Watson return to the form that made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection with Houston from 2018 through 2020.

Watson sat out the entire 2021 season as he attempted to orchestrate a trade from the Texans.

"He's making excellent progress," Berry added about his QB1. "Honestly if you didn't know he got hurt last year, you really wouldn't be able to tell the difference. We're very excited once camp starts."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Watson tied for eighth among the betting favorites at +2200 odds to claim the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2024 season. Such data may show some doubt Watson will play at an elite level during what possibly could become his final campaign with the Browns depending on what occurs in the 2024 season.