Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since last season on Friday, July 26.

Fantasy Spin: Watson has long been expected to be ready for the start of the season, but it is a great sign nonetheless that Cleveland feels good enough about his shoulder holding up that it signed off on 11-on-11 drills this early. While his time with the Browns has been highly disappointing, he was starting to show signs of turning it around last season before his injury. Watson is worth rolling the dice on as a high-upside QB2 in the later rounds one more time.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) threw in 11-on-11 drills at training camp practice on Friday for the first time since last season. The Browns are currently unsure if Watson will get repetitions in the preseason this year after having season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023, but he's taking part in practices early in camp and should be fully ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, barring a setback. The 28-year-old took part in 7-on-7 drills in spring practices and is not being limited early in training camp. It's a great sign for Watson, who will be looking to stay healthy and play a full season for the first time with the Browns this year. Watson has proven to be a dynamic QB when healthy, and he has plenty of playmakers around him in Cleveland, but he's going to need to stay healthy and push the ball downfield to prove he's more than a QB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media Thursday on their first day of training camp, breaking the news that he was unsure whether or not starting quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) would appear in any of the team's three preseason games. Watson, who had shoulder surgery during the offseason to tend to the scapular and rotator cuff injuries he suffered during the 2023 season, seems to be on his way to health but isn't there just yet. Stefanski confirmed he would discuss the details with Watson and his staff before determining when he would get game action at an appropriate time. "We'll be smart," Stefanski said. "We're very fortunate to have a great medical team around Deshaun... He looks great, feels great, so we'll just be smart about it." Watson is going off draft boards as QB22 and is a solid second quarterback option in superflex leagues heading into fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) may not play in any of the preseason games, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, but Stefanski said Watson will participate in team drills during training camp.

Fantasy Spin: While Watson may never return to the form he showed in Houston, he isn't a bad gamble as a QB2.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Thursday at training camp that he will call the offensive plays for the team in 2024. The Browns hired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey this offseason, but Stefanski will at least start the new season as the play-caller after holding the role since arriving as head coach before the 2020 campaign. Ultimately, Cleveland's offensive success hinges on whether quarterback Deshaun Watson can stay on the field. The 28-year-old former 12th overall pick by the Houston Texans in 2017 out of Clemson was suspended for the entire 2021 season and has only started 12 games in the last two seasons with Cleveland due to injuries. Still, the Browns offense has finished in the top half of the league in points per game in two of the last four seasons.

From RotoBaller

At his second annual 7-on-7 high-school showcase through his foundation, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) didn't say whether he expects to be fully cleared for the start of training camp next week, but he did say that there have been no setbacks in his shoulder rehab. "I'm great," Watson said. The 28-year-old played in only six games in 2023 for the second straight year due to a right-shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. The good news is that he was throwing during minicamp this offseason and is expected to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, barring a setback this summer. Watson has QB1 potential when healthy, but he missed all of 2021 due to a suspension and has played in only 12 games the last two years due to injury, which makes him a risk/reward QB2 in fantasy in 2024 in what could be a make-or-break season.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Deshaun Watson's re-emergence is being doubted by many in the media. Dynasty Analysis: The latest report casting a shadow of doubt on Watson comes from former NFL wide receiver James Jones. The report indicates Jones (as so many others have recently) believes Watson's best days are behind him. It's hard to argue as Watson has simply not looked like an elite-level player ever since joining Cleveland on what now looks like a ridiculous contract that's paying him $230 million in guaranteed money. This will be a make or break year for Watson, who is reportedly healthy and ready to go. At this point, he's an upside QB2 but not someone to build around in a dynasty league.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) surprised beat writer Mary Kay Cabot with his arm strength in minicamp. Cabot also expects him to be mostly back to himself by the start of the season.

Fantasy Spin: Cabot also said she saw no reason why he couldn't return to the elite level he was in Houston and wasn't healthy most of last season. Watson is a QB2 without a lot of fanfare, but he could provide a sparkplug backup to use in certain matchups.

From TheHuddle

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that he has significant questions about the Cleveland Browns' receiving corps this year. WR1 Amari Cooper missed the whole offseason program because he's seeking a new contract, and new wideout Jerry Jeudy missed the last three weeks with a minor undisclosed injury. The Browns still have Cooper and tight end David Njoku, but there are a bunch of questions beyond them, and quarterback Deshaun Watson needs playmakers. Jackson said he didn't see many big plays from the Browns offense during offseason workouts, and he still wonders what the team will get from Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman when the regular season begins. Watson has a lot of talent from under center, but injury question marks and the lack of receiving depth he has in Cleveland makes him a clear QB2 target in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery from shoulder surgery, according to general manager Andrew Berry.

Fantasy Spin: Watson was able to throw some during offseason workouts and should be at least a limited participant when training camp starts. He has not posted great numbers since joining the Browns a few years ago and probably should be considered a No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was recently throwing during 7-on-7 drills. While that was a promising sign for fantasy managers, general manager Andrew Berry painted a more encouraging picture. "First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off," Berry told the media on Monday. "He's really actually ahead of schedule. He's thrown the ball well." The 28-year-old should be ready to go for Week 1 after undergoing shoulder surgery in November. But the real question is if he'll bounce back from a forgettable 2023-24 campaign. Although there's a good chance Watson will, he's still hard to trust to be the No. 1 signal-caller on any fantasy roster.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) has increased his activity by throwing passes in 7-on-7 drills during minicamp practice on Tuesday, June 11.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is throwing the football in 7-on-7 drills on the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which is something he didn't do at voluntary organized team activities last month. It's a big step for Watson, who required surgery last November to fix a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old has tangible QB1 upside when healthy, but he hasn't really been healthy since returning from a suspension that kept him out for all of 2021. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Watson should be a full-go for training camp this summer and be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Because he's dealing with a unique injury to his throwing arm, Watson should be considered a QB2 in fantasy in 2024 with upside for more if he proves he's completely past the injury.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is throwing every other day as he continues to rehab from his season-ending shoulder surgery last year, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Watson was seen throwing passes at organized team activities on Tuesday, which means he took the day off on Wednesday while still taking part in individual and team drills. Stefanski said that Watson is "making great progress" and "looked like himself to me" after having surgery last November to fix a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder. General manager Andrew Berry said he expects Watson to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 28-year-old has clear QB1 upside when healthy, but the three-time Pro Bowler is also a pretty big injury risk, as he's played in just 12 games with Cleveland the last two seasons due to injuries and suspension.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will throw every other day as part of his ongoing rehab, per head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Fantasy Spin: Cleveland added Jerry Jeudy to a receiver room brimming with potential, so if Watson can stay upright he could deliver decent production from fantasy owners. Given his recent history, though, he can't be viewed as more than a midrange QB2 with upside.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) threw on the first day of organized team activities on Tuesday but is scheduled for a day off on Wednesday, the only day of the week open to the media. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) is still recovering from his hip injury and is also not expected to throw Wednesday. Watson threw during some individual drills on Tuesday and looked great after having offseason right-shoulder surgery. He said Dr. Neal ElAttrache wants him to be conservative during OTAs and minicamp so that he can be as healthy as possible for training camp this summer. Watson had his fractured shoulder socket and partially torn labrum fix in November. The 28-year-old said he's throwing full speed, and he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season as long as he doesn't have any setbacks before then. Watson has QB1 appeal in fantasy, but he's also a big injury risk.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) won't throw at organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, which is the first session open to the media. He threw Tuesday, May 21.

Fantasy Spin: Watson enters this fantasy season with probably the least about of fanfare or intrigue of his career. He's a QB2 that probably only really deserves a roster spot in two-QB leagues.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is expected to be eased into the voluntary workouts with the hope of participating in seven-on-seven and team drills near the end of organized team activities and into the mandatory minicamp.

Fantasy Spin: Watson seems to be on track for the start of training camp, but fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation over the next few months. He has not posted great numbers since joining the Browns and probably can be a No. 2 quarterback in most fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) has had well-documented struggles since being traded from the Houston Texans ahead of the 2022 season. He's appeared in just 12 games over the last two years, completing just under 60% of his passes for 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Those stats are far from his days of MVP contention with Houston, but Browns general manager Andrew Berry remains confident. "Obviously, he's been rehabbing the shoulder injury, but he is well on his way there and in a really strong spot," Berry said. "We do expect to hit the ground running on that side of the ball, and I know he is very excited about returning to the playing field and getting over this injury. We have high expectations for him and the offense this season."Watson missed Week 4, 6, and 8 last season and played just a handful of snaps in Week 7 before returning in Week 9. He was then placed on season-ending Injured Reserve ahead of Week 11. A combination of poor play and injuries has put a bleak outlook on his career, and 2024 could be his last chance to prove he belongs as a starter in Cleveland. All that said, backup quarterback Jameis Winston is an intriguing stash option in Superflex and dynasty leagues.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) told reporters he is 'throwing full speed' and intends to participate at some level during organized team activities, according to a source.

Fantasy Spin: Watson has been a monumental disappointment for the Browns since his trade from the Houston Texans in March of 2022, but injuries have played an important role in his inability to reach the same heights he did before the trade. Cleveland appears to be going all-in on giving him the supporting cast he needs, as the team added Jerry Jeudy to a supporting cast that already had Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and David Njoku. Watson will be considered a middling QB2 this offseason, but there is a decent possibility he manages to return to his former QB1 self if he is truly fully healthy.

From TheHuddle