Deshaun Watson is entering his third season with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, and it’s a pivotal campaign for the former Clemson star as he returns from a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023.

Watson is currently on track to be fully recovered by the time the 2024 season begins. In fact, he is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery heading into training camp in late July, according to Browns general manager Andrew Berry.

Berry joined The Insiders this week and gave an injury update on Watson coming out of minicamp, where the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was out there throwing passes on a pitch count.

“First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off during the rehabilitation process over the past several months,” Berry said. “He’s really actually ahead of schedule. He’s really chomping at the bit to take the governor off, so to speak, but really he’s had a really nice spring. He’s thrown the ball well. Did a really nice job during our 7-on-7 and team periods during this veteran minicamp. So, we’re excited as he gets into training camp and we get the pads on.”

Based on the comments from Berry, it sounds like Watson could potentially be fully cleared for the start of training camp.

“He’s making excellent progress,” Berry said. “Honestly, if you didn’t know he got hurt last year, you really wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. So, we’re very excited once camp starts.”

The Browns are hoping for a bounceback year from Watson, who has only played in 12 total games over the past two seasons since being traded to Cleveland from the Houston Texans in March 2022 and signing a new fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns.

Watson served an 11-game suspension to begin 2022 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. In 2023, he went 5-1 as Cleveland’s starter before undergoing shoulder surgery following the Browns’ Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Prior to his season being cut short by injury, Watson completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions across six games.

Watson has passed for 16,756 yards and 118 touchdowns with 45 interceptions in 66 career games with the Browns and Texans since being taken by Houston in the first round (12th overall) of the 2017 draft.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!