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 have him wait until training camp to fully practice. Still, Watson is confident he'll be available for the Browns' season opener, and there appears 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 experienced backups Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Confident in Week 1 availability
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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.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Almost ready to throw again
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Watson (shoulder) is on track or slightly ahead in his rehab schedule and will begin throwing in March, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The quarterback had surgery Nov. 21 to repair a fractured right shoulder socket. Watson resumed work in the weight room last week and is already discussing the possibility of organizing offseason throwing sessions with teammates for the third year in a row. New Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said he's optimistic about getting Watson back to the level of play he demonstrated in Houston, and the the QB's fully guaranteed contract ensures the Browns will give him another chance as the clear starter despite disappointing showings in the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023. The contract runs through 2026 (Watson's age-31 season).
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Has shoulder surgery
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Watson underwent surgery on the displaced fracture in his right throwing shoulder Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Watson sat out Weeks 4 and 6 due to a shoulder injury before playing in three of the Browns' next four games. After a Week 10 matchup with the Ravens though, testing revealed a season-ending issue. With the procedure in the rearview mirror, Watson will focus on being ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. For now, Cleveland has put the offense in the hands of rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, with PJ Walker backing him up and Joe Flacco on the practice squad.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Officially placed on IR
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The Browns placed Watson (shoulder) on injured reserve Wednesday.
The move is merely procedural after the Browns announced earlier Wednesday that Watson -- who also suffered a left high-ankle sprain in this past Sunday's win over the Ravens -- was slated for season-ending surgery to address a displaced fracture in his right throwing shoulder. He'll thus end his second campaign in Cleveland having completed 105 of 171 passes (61 percent) for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions and rushing 26 times for 142 yards and another score in six appearances. There's an expectation that Watson will be healthy by the start of the 2024 season, but in the meantime, the Browns will entrust the offense in rookie fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson on Sunday against the Steelers, with veteran PJ Walker serving as his backup.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Fractures shoulder, out for season
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The Browns announced Wednesday that Watson (ankle) will undergo season-ending surgery to address a displaced fracture in his right shoulder.
Watson previously missed three games and three quarters of another due to what had been described as a right rotator cuff strain, but he returned to action to start both of the Browns' past two contests. During Sunday's 33-31 win over the Ravens, Watson exited late in the second quarter after he appeared to injure his left ankle, but he missed just one snap and proceeded to complete all 14 of his pass attempts in the second half to help lead Cleveland to a come-from-behind victory. The Browns sent Watson in for what was described as a precautionary MRI on Monday, and unfortunately for the quarterback, he was diagnosed not only with a high-ankle sprain, but also a fracture in his throwing shoulder, which apparently stemmed from a hit he took in the first half against the Ravens. He'll head in for surgery on the shoulder in the coming days and will be placed on injured reserve, but the Browns fully expect Watson to be ready to go for the 2024 season. PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson will step in as the Browns' new starting quarterback beginning with Sunday's game against the Steelers. Since being acquired from the Texans in March 2022 and immediately signing a five-year, $230 million contract, Watson has appeared in just 12 games for Cleveland and has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 6.5 yards per attempt, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while adding 317 yards and two scores on 62 carries.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Downplays injury after win
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Watson (ankle) believes the left ankle injury he suffered in Sunday's 33-31 win over the Ravens won't force him to miss any time, Michael Baca of NFL.com reports. "Right now I'm not feeling well, but I'll be fine, I'll be ready to go," Watson said after the game while wearing a walking boot.
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.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Solid in return to action
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Watson completed 19 of 30 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Browns' 27-0 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. He also rushed three times for 22 yards.
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.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Back as starter Sunday
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Watson (shoulder) will start Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
Per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Watson -- who doesn't carry a Week 9 injury designation -- won't have any limitations as he returns from his shoulder injury, according to coach Kevin Stefanski. With Watson set to return from a one-game absence, PJ Walker will revert to a backup role Sunday. While Cleveland's starting QB has been determined, the Cardinals have yet to announce whether Kyler Murray (knee) or Clayton Tune will get the assignment this weekend.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Looks sharp in return to practice
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Watson (shoulder), who was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, didn't appear to be restricted with his throwing and took every rep with the first-team offense in the portion of the session that was open to the media, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Watson has sat out three of the Browns' past four games due to a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder, with his lone appearance coming in a Week 7 loss to the Colts and lasting less than one quarter after he was shut down for the day when his ability to throw at full velocity appeared to be compromised. After sitting out all three of the Browns' Week 8 practices while focusing on rehabbing his throwing shoulder, Watson is seemingly in much better condition physically as Cleveland begins Week 9 prep. Jackson was one of several Browns beat writers that came away convinced about Watson's health in his return to practice Wednesday, with Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram going as far to say that Watson "threw with more zip than at any point since he was injured Sept. 24 during a win over the Titans." Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he wasn't yet ready to make a decision on Watson's status for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, though Stefanski noted that PJ Walker will draw a second straight start if Watson remains sidelined this weekend. The Browns will likely wait and see how Watson fares during practices Thursday and Friday before providing an update on their plans at quarterback for Week 9.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Slated for limited practice
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that Watson (shoulder) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
At this stage, the Browns' plans at quarterback for Sunday's game against the Cardinals have yet to be solidified, but Stefanski said Wednesday that PJ Walker will make a second straight start this weekend if Watson isn't available, per Cabot. Watson -- who was inactive for Cleveland's Week 8 loss to Seattle -- has been dealing with a rotator cuff strain in his throwing shoulder and has made just one brief appearance over the Browns' last four games while managing the injury.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Sitting out Thursday's practice
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Watson (shoulder) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski already announced that Watson won't start Sunday's game in Seattle after the veteran signal-caller didn't look to be fully healed from his right rotator cuff strain in his brief return from a two-game absence during the team's Week 7 win over the Colts. Though PJ Walker will get the starting nod Sunday, the Browns haven't officially ruled Watson out from being available as an emergency backup, though the 28-year-old's back-to-back absences at practice to begin Week 8 prep suggests that he's trending toward being inactive for the game. Look for Dorian Thompson-Robinson to serve as the No. 2 option behind Walker on Sunday while Watson focuses on rehabbing his shoulder this week. Stefanski confirmed Wednesday that an MRI on Watson's shoulder came back clean following his departure from the Week 7 game, but the signal-caller is still dealing with "residual swelling that's affecting his throwing," per Jake Trotter of ESPN.com. For his part, Watson told Trotter that while he won't need surgery, he's uncertain how long the injury might linger, making it far from a lock that he'll be ready to play Week 9 against the Cardinals.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Won't start Sunday
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Watson is expected to focus on rehabbing his injured throwing shoulder this week after head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that PJ Walker will serve as the Browns' starting quarterback Sunday against the Seahawks.
The Browns haven't officially ruled Watson out for the contest, but expect the team to confirm as much by the end of the week. Along with Walker and Watson, the Browns have rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on hand as another option at quarterback, so he'll presumably serve as Walker's understudy if Watson is in fact ruled out. Assuming Watson responds well to rehab for the right rotator cuff strain that kept him from playing Weeks 4 and 5 and resulted in his early removal in the Browns' Week 7 win over the Colts, he could have a chance to return to the starting lineup Week 9 versus Arizona.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Diagnosed with rotator cuff strain
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Watson has a strain of the subscapularis within the rotator cuff Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per the report, this type of injury in baseball normally causes pitchers to miss 4-to-6 weeks. He is hoping to shorten that window while rehabbing the injury, so it remains to be seen how long that will take. The veteran quarterback has missed two games over the past three weeks and took just 12 snaps in Week 7 before exiting. PJ Walker subsequently replaced him under center and is expected to continue doing so should Watson miss more time.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Hopes to play next weekend
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Watson hopes to be able to practice this coming week and play in Week 8 against Seattle, but he indicated that he needs to see how his shoulder feels in the wake of Sunday's 39-38 win over the Colts, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Watson acknowledged that he first went into the medical tent Sunday to have his shoulder checked out after a hard hit, and then he subsequently went back in for a concussion test. While Watson was cleared after his concussion evaluation, his shoulder issue evidently remains a concern as next weekend's contest against the Seahawks approaches. If he's unable to play, PJ Walker would once again be called upon to fill in at QB for the Browns.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Active, set to start Sunday
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Watson (shoulder) is active and will serve as the Browns' starting quarterback in Sunday's game at Chicago.
Though he was listed as questionable heading into the weekend, Watson is set to return two-game absence and play for the first time since Week 3 after he was able to put in a full practice Friday and take all of the first-team reps during Saturday's walkthrough. According to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Watson still has some microtears in his right rotator cuff, but he won't face any restrictions with his throwing or running as he re-enters the lineup. His return should provide a boost to the fantasy prospects of all of Cleveland's key pass catchers after rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and journeyman PJ Walker drew one start apiece under center while Watson was out.
Watson (shoulder) remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts but is on track to start the contest, barring a setback prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Rapoport notes that Watson took first-team reps during Saturday's walkthrough, which comes on the heels of the quarterback having returned to a full practice Friday. Though head coach Kevin Stefanski wasn't yet willing to commit to Watson making his return from a two-game absence this weekend, Stefanski relayed that the signal-caller looked good in his return to full activity Friday. Assuming the rotator cuff injury presents no unexpected complications while he throws in pregame warmups, Watson should be back under center Sunday. Through three appearances on the season, Watson has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 678 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 83 yards and a score on 15 carries.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Questionable for Week 7
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Watson (right shoulder) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer relays via coach Kevin Stefanski that Watson took his normal amount of practice reps Friday, with Stefanski noting that he thought the QB "looked good" in doing so. As for Watson's Week 7 availability, Stefanski told Trotter that he wants to see how Watson's shoulder responds to the work he got in Friday before a determination is made, but at this stage the signal-caller appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's contest.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: In line to practice Thursday
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Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt confirmed that Watson (shoulder) is slated to participate in practice in some capacity Thursday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Per Zac Jackson of The Athletic, Van Pelt noted that Watson, who is dealing with a right rotator cuff strain, is "scheduled to get out there and make some throws" Thursday. The Browns' upcoming injury report will clarify the QB's official participation level, but if Thursday's session goes well, Watson could potentially be in a position to return to action Sunday against the Colts.
Watson (shoulder) won't practice Wednesday, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Per Trotter, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that the Browns aren't yet ruling Watson out for Sunday's game against the Colts, but the quarterback's status is cloudy at this stage of the week. Stefanski told Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram that PJ Walker will be elevated from the practice squad to make another start this weekend if Watson is forced to miss a third consecutive game.
