Deshaun Watson has hit another checkpoint in his recovery process. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Sunday the team’s franchise quarterback has been cleared for full contact.
Watson was limited to just six games last season due to a lingering shoulder injury. After being shut down for the campaign – the second of his fully guaranteed, $230MM contract – his attention turned to rehab. That process has gone well to date, with an update from June stating he was ahead of schedule.
Now, Watson will continue his preparation for the 2024 season during this week’s joint practices with the Vikings. Stefanski confirmed the three-time Pro Bowler will not play in Cleveland’s second preseason contest, as was the case this past weekend (by which time, as Stefanski clarified via Cleveland.com’s Mary KayCabot, Watson had received clearance). The 28-year-old will, however, receive the “vast majority” of first-team reps over the coming days.
The Browns dealt with a slew of injuries at several offensive positions last season, and the team relied on Joe Flacco at quarterback down the stretch and in the postseason. Flacco departed in free agency and Cleveland has brought in the likes of Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley in addition to returnee Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Regardless of how the rest of the depth chart shakes out, though, Watson will of course face high expectations as starter once the campaign begins.
After sitting out the first 11 weeks of the 2022 season through suspension for a personal conduct policy violation, the former Texan did not impress in his opening Cleveland starts. The Browns went 5-1 during his six appearances this past season, but his passer rating in that span (84.3) fell well short of his career average and his best Houston years. Returning to his previous form – and thus making the monster trade price the Browns paid to acquire him, in addition to the historic extension, easier to justify – would be critical for Cleveland’s chances of making a postseason run.
Unlike last offseason, the team did not adjust Watson’s contract. As a result, he is set to carry a record-breaking cap charge of $63.77MM in 2024. The pact also calls for cap hits of just under $64MM in 2025 and ’26, so remaining healthy and delivering a strong outing on Watson’s part will be critical for the team’s finances now and in the future. This latest update is another sign he is back at 100% well before Week 1.
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