Deshaun Watson to take big step in return from injury

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson‘s second Browns campaign (and the first one with full-season availability) did not go according to plan.

Recurring injuries left the Pro Bowl quarterback in and out of the lineup before he was ultimately shut down for the year. A key step in his rehab is not far away, though.

Watson is set to resume throwing in March, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

He continues to recover from surgery that took place in November and marked an end to his campaign. Several issues emerged in his throwing shoulder throughout the campaign, though Cabot notes that only the fractured glenoid bone — rather than Watson’s strained rotator cuff — was surgically repaired.

When speaking about Cleveland’s QB situation last month, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson was on track to take part in the team’s offseason program in April.

Monday’s update points further in that direction, and Cabot adds that Watson may be ahead of schedule in his recovery. Managing to put together a full campaign next year will be an obvious goal for the team and player in this situation.

Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the season in 2022, and his level of play upon activation left plenty to be desired. He took a step forward this year, but his season-ending ailment left the Browns in need of multiple replacement options under center.

Midseason signing Joe Flacco helped provide stability and guide the team to the postseason, boosting his free-agent value in the process. Watson will, to no surprise, serve as Cleveland’s starter in 2024.

Before the season kicks off, though, adjustments to the 28-year-old’s contract will need to be made.

Watson is due to carry a cap hit of just under $64M in each of the final three years of his fully guaranteed deal. That figure would easily set an NFL record in terms of single-season cap hits, but a restructure or extension would lower it for the time being.

Financial moves will be worth watching soon in Watson’s case, but a positive development on the health front is also forthcoming.

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