Where does Browns QB Deshaun Watson feel his shoulder recovery stands to start minicamp? (2024)

BEREA — Progress for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is not being measured in leaps and bounds. Instead, it's in the small steps that indicate a shift from one stage of his shoulder rehab to another.

Watson took another of those small steps Tuesday as the Browns opened up minicamp. The quarterback participated for the first time this offseason in 7-on-7 drills.

It may not have seemed like a huge deal, except to the person who continues to recover from a Nov. 21 surgery to repair a broken glenoid in his throwing shoulder.

"It's truly a blessing," Watson said after Tuesday's practice. "Came a long way from something that was a big scare last year. Something I never dealt with and something that most football players don't, especially as a quarterback, don't go through that type of surgery. But for me to be where I'm at today, it's definitely a blessing. More glory to that, and it was fun to be able to get out there and compete."

The progress, to some, has been taken at a snail's pace. That's exactly the way it's been set up for Watson by Dr. Neal ElAttrache — who performed the surgery in Los Angeles — and Browns head trainer Joe Sheehan, among others.

Watson started throwing on March 19. His routine since the Browns began phase two of their offseason program last month, though, has limited him to an every-other day routine.

That part, coach Kevin Stefanski admitted, won't be changing as the Browns close out the offseason program with the mandatory minicamp. The only piece that was adjusted was the amount of throwing Watson's doing on the days he's throwing.

"Just following the protocol, the process, the whole throwing program," Watson said. "Everything's been going pretty smooth, taking it one day at a time, not trying to get ahead of myself and I think I'm in the right position. And I feel very, very comfortable.”

Watson didn't throw the ball during his 11-on-11 reps, which was different than the other three quarterbacks on the roster. He also didn't participate in the throwing drills at the very end of practice, where the quarterbacks had to try and hit targets on a net.

The reality, though, is those portions accounted for about 10 to 15 minutes of the 90-minute practice. While the rest of the time wasn't spent just throwing it all the time, there were several periods dedicated to either individual or 7-on-7 drills with Watson a prime participant.

There were few deep shots involved in Watson's overall day Tuesday, which was the second time the media has watched him throw during the offseason. However, the short to intermediate routes were, for the most part, on the mark with a nice amount of zip.

"You know, natural next step is throwing out there against the defense in 7-on-7," Stefanski said. "Then you’ll graduate to team, and we can do team drills and those type of things. But, yeah, I thought he looked good, made good decisions. Again, you get mental reps when you’re back there and then it’s a little bit different when you’re taking the snap from the center or shotgun or under center, regardless. But I thought he did a nice job.”

The team drills aren't likely to be a part of Watson's routine until the Browns get into training camp in late July. Watson wasn't even about to talk about the prospects of playing in any of the three preseason games.

Watson did say a trip with teammates, as he has done previously, was in the works for the time between the end of minicamp and the start of training camp. He wouldn't reveal the destination, but acknowledged there would likely be a program designed by ElAttrache, Sheehan and Browns team physician Dr. James Voos he'll even have to follow then.

The progress Watson has already made following the program created by the medical professionals involved has been positive in his eyes. It's why he's not stressing the thought of his status for the regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

"I know the work that I put in," Watson said. "I know the doctors, and everybody that's been working with me and that's where it start and then when you get on the field you just got to go out there and do it and participate a little bit and see what you can do right now, at this moment.

"I'm only six and a half months out. Game one is not till another two and a half, 90-some days. So I'm in a very comfortable spot and, like I said before, just taking it one day at a time and just keep going from there.”

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deshaun Watson throwing in 7-on-7 drills as Browns minicamp begins