Browns' Deshaun Watson Throwing Every Other Day Amid Shoulder Injury Recovery

The Cleveland Browns have quarterback Deshaun Watson on a set throwing schedule as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery last fall.

The three-time Pro Bowler was flinging passes at practice Tuesday but only made simulated tosses Wednesday, which is part of the Browns' plan to only have him throw every other day.

"He looked like himself to me," head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters. "I've been able to watch him the last couple of weeks now that we've gotten into phase 2. So, I've seen him throw. He's making great progress. We will just continue to follow the medical team on this but he looks like himself."

Watson said in April he expects to be back to 100 percent in time for the start of the regular season.

The 28-year-old was limited to six appearances in 2023. While Cleveland went 5-1 during when he started, his performance was below the standard fans had come to expect of him. He threw for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions and had a 42.9 QBR.

Watson's numbers were similar to what he delivered in 2022, averaging 183.7 yards per game with seven touchdowns and five interceptions in six starts after returning from his NFL suspension.

The obvious hope for Cleveland is that Watson is a much different quarterback following his shoulder surgery. Him failing to return to his Houston Texans form would be nothing short of a disaster considering all of the guaranteed cash left on his contract. The Browns could cut him in 2026, the final year of the deal, and be saddled with nearly $64 million in dead money for that season.

It's too early to draw any conclusions from how Watson looks in practice because he's still rehabbing. Him at least throwing well ahead of training camp offers some encouragement in that facet.