Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson told reporters Wednesday that he’s “in a great state” a week ahead of their first training camp practice. Though Watson did not answer when asked if his passing will be restricted when camp begins, he said he’s been throwing every day while continuing to rehab from his shoulder surgery.
“I just have been taking it one day at a time,” Watson said. “Everything has been set in stone (with the rehab schedule), and I haven’t had any setbacks or anything that’s holding me back.”
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Watson threw every other day over the final stage of the Browns’ offseason program that ran from late May to early June. He was limited to individual drills and non-competitive settings until Cleveland’s mid-June minicamp when he threw in seven-on-seven settings on two of the camp’s three days.
Watson was limited to six games last season by multiple shoulder injuries, and in late November he had surgery to repair a misplaced fracture to the glenoid and a partial tear of the labrum.
He started throwing in April, at which point he said his main focus for something close to a full return would be the start of training camp.
“It’s been beautiful. It’s been a blessing just to be able to sit back and recollect everything that’s been going on,” Watson said of the rehab process. “This is a blessing to be able to continue to play the game of football and have the people that want you to succeed. For me to even be back throwing the football is definitely my top point. I have to thank Dr. (Neal) ElAttrache, the Browns’ medical staff … my whole team, everyone that’s been around me.”
Watson spoke at his annual seven-on-seven tournament for Northeast Ohio high school teams. He said he’s “kind of been all over the world” since the Browns’ offseason program ended in mid-June, but said he’s frequently had teammates with him in various locations who have assisted in his continued rehab program.
“The work has been good,” Watson said. “The chemistry, the off-field, just hanging out has been awesome. We’ve been all over the place, so we’ve definitely been enjoying the offseason but just can’t wait to get back and get the season going.”
As far as personal expectations for the season ahead, Watson’s third with the Browns, he said he’s only trying “to be the best Deshaun Watson can be to help this team win.”
Watson has thrown this summer with the Browns’ No. 1 wide receiver, Amari Cooper, who skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp because he wants a new contract. Watson said he wasn’t going to get into any contract discussions between Cooper and the Browns, but added that he and the wideout have maintained an “awesome” connection and have remained in close contact throughout the summer. It remains unknown if Cooper will report to camp with the rest of the team on Tuesday.
“Amari is gonna be good,” Watson said. “As far as the other stuff, that’s their business. They know we love him and we want him back for sure.”
(Photo: Jeff Lange / USA Today)
