Browns' Deshaun Watson offers update on shoulder recovery

It sounds like Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is right where he wants to be in his recovery from the shoulder injury that cost him over half of the 2023 NFL regular season.

"I just have been taking it one day at a time," Watson told reporters on Wednesday, as shared by Zac Jackson of The Athletic. "Everything has been set in stone (with the rehab schedule), and I haven’t had any setbacks or anything that’s holding me back."

Watson's uncertain future is a topic that has hovered over the Browns throughout the offseason for several reasons. He has made just 12 regular-season starts since agreeing to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract to join Cleveland in March 2022, and he was a spectator when Joe Flacco went 4-1 to guide the 2023 Browns to a playoff berth.

It's now hardly a secret that the Browns replaced Flacco with Jameis Winston and also replaced offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with Ken Dorsey this offseason to keep Watson happy and ideally get the most out of the 28-year-old. The team's plans can only come to fruition if Watson's shoulder is 100% by September.

"It’s been beautiful," Watson said about his rehab process. "It’s been a blessing just to be able to sit back and recollect everything that’s been going on. 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."

Watson noted that he's worked out with teammates beyond the club's spring practices. Veteran Browns players are due to report for training camp on July 23.

"The work has been good," Watson added. "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 of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Browns at +150 betting odds to make the playoffs this season. Whispers about the club possibly moving on from Watson before the opening night of the 2025 NFL Draft will only grow louder if the veteran signal-caller fails to lead Cleveland to at least a postseason appearance.