CLEVELAND, Ohio – Let’s assume Deshaun Watson is indeed OK after colliding with a teammate at a celebrity softball game Saturday.
The Browns QB was playing first base. A pop-up was hit in his direction. He pursued the ball, as did tight end and teammate Zaire Mitchell-Paden.
Watson took a hit and went down in the dirt for a few brief moments. He stood up, celebrating that he caught the ball and wasn’t injured.
I’ll let the Browns deal with this question: Was it wise for Watson to play in a softball game as he’s recovering from major shoulder surgery? I can imagine the Powers That Be in Berea having some questions about it.
Stories by Terry Pluto
The Browns have been very careful how Watson has been used during various spring workouts – making sure he avoids physical contact with another player.
As several of my friends have told me, “The season hangs on Watson.”
If the Browns want to reach the Super Bowl, they need Watson to stay healthy and approach his 2020 Pro Bowl form.
But is that a realistic expectation?
Watson has played only 12 games in the last three seasons due to a full-season holdout (2021), an 11-game suspension (2022) and shoulder problems/surgery (2023).
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reacts after colliding with teammate Zaire Mitchell-Paden while going after a ball during a celebrity softball game in Eastlake. He lets fans know he's OK. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
What Kevin Stefanski remembers
The close call in the softball game is a reminder of the tenuous situation with Watson.
He not only has to prove he can be an impact QB, but he also has to stay healthy.
The Browns point to games such as his final one in 2023. That was when he completed all 14 of his passes in the second half. He led the Browns from a 31-17 deficit to a 33-31 victory in the fourth quarter on the road in Baltimore.
“That Baltimore game is pretty fresh in my mind,” Stefanski said on the Rich Eisen radio show. “With a bad ankle and a bad shoulder, he goes 14 for 14 and beats an unbelievably good team at their place.”
Watson was 6 of 20 passing in the first half. He and the Browns were a mess, trailing 24-9 with three minutes left in the third quarter. Then Watson led them back to the biggest victory of his Cleveland career.
In that Baltimore game, Watson was sacked four times. He was knocked down four other times making throws. He also ran the ball eight times for 37 yards.
That’s 16 total hits, far too many.
Deshaun Watson was hit 16 times during his last game in the 2023 season. That led to a broken shoulder and surgery. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
What Watson must do
Watson has a tendency to expose himself to risky, needless hits trying to make a great play when he’s under pressure.
He has been told to run out of bounds or slide before being tackled. Nothing wrong with throwing the ball away to avoid a sack.
Watson actually fractured his shoulder in that Nov. 12, 2023, game, requiring season-ending surgery. He also suffered a significant ankle sprain in that game.
Watson had other good games, especially a 27-3 victory over Tennessee and 27-0 win over Arizona last season. But he’s also had some clunkers since coming to Cleveland in 2022.
In general, Watson has been up and down with the Browns. The team has a 7-4 record when he plays a full game for the Browns.
The Browns are revamping their offense with new coordinator Ken Dorsey to make it more Watson-friendly. But it also must be designed to keep Watson as healthy as possible.
Jameis Winston has made 80 NFL starts in his career. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
What the Browns must do
The Browns are saying all the right things when it comes to how Watson is progressing from his shoulder surgery. I’ve seen him throw some passes in spring practices, and his arm looks healthy.
The question is will it remain so in real games when he’s been tackled. His shoulder had bothered him earlier in the season (microtears of the rotator cuff). That knocked him out of three full games and three quarters of a fourth game.
Watson came back to play two games; then his season ended after the victory in Baltimore.
To the Browns’ credit, they have loaded up with experienced backup QBs. Jameis Winston (80 career starts) is the primary reserve behind Watson. They also signed Tyler Huntley (9 career starts). I liked Huntley when seeing him play a few times for Baltimore.
They still have Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who showed some promise as a rookie last year. DTR has been dealing with a hip injury dating back to last season and has just begun taking part in the OTAs.
While the Browns were 4-1 in games finished by Watson, they also were 7-5 in the other games. They found ways to win with four different QBs, make the playoffs and keep the season interesting for the fans.
They have to be prepared to do that again, as the softball game reminds us. Sixty-six different QBs started during the 2023 NFL season, often due to injuries. It’s not just Watson, but most QBs have trouble staying healthy.
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