ESPN: Cleveland Browns confident Deshaun Watson looks like QB of ‘old’ from Houston days

Deshaun Watson might be able to recapture some of the old magic he had with the Houston Texans, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Watson played 12 games over the course of the last two years following a suspension and injuries. He hasn’t played a full season since 2020 when he set career highs for the Texans.

Despite that, Watson hasn’t led his team to the playoff since 2019. But now five years later, he might be back to where he was on the field.

“Deshaun Watson, coming off the shoulder injury that required surgery, I’m told that he will be throwing it Browns OTAs,” Fowler said. “Now will he do 11-man work? That’s up to Kevin Stefanski, the head coach. They might scale him back a little bit, but I’ve talked to somebody close to Watson and said he’s looking like the old Deshaun, feeling good trying to get that confidence back after a few years that maybe were subpar for his normal standards back when he played in Houston.”

Watson went 5-1 as a starter last year before being shut down to get shoulder surgery. He threw for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

At his peak, Watson threw for 4,823 yards, 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 70.2% completion percentage in 2020.

Watson talked about his injured shoulder on his QB Unplugged podcast with quarterback coach Quincy Avery back in March. “The situation is good,” Watson said. “We’re in a great spot, right where we need to be. We have plenty of time to ramp up the throwing sessions and things like that, but everything is going pretty smooth.

“As long as I’m feeling well and the doctors and (physical therapists) and everyone are on the same page, we’re in a good spot.”

In November, Watson suffered a shoulder fracture in the game against the Baltimore Ravens. He missed the rest of the 2023 season and quickly had surgery on the shoulder. In March Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson was on track to be with the team next in April when they began offseason workouts.

“He’s right where he is supposed to be, so I’d anticipate that he’s throwing this spring with us,” Stefanski said. “We’ll see him in April and we’ll just continue that rehab. I’ll stay out of it, and the doctors and trainers will tell me when he’s ready. I know he’s doing a great job.”