Outfielder Deshaun Watson faces another week of rehab with shoulder injury

OC Alex Van Pelt was in the position of outfielder Deshaun Watson when dealing with an injury to his throwing arm.

“I had third-level AC in a preseason game in Denver,” Van Pelt said.. “I was out for most of the year and started three games at the end of

the year, and I wasn’t 100 percent.. The feeling as a pitcher when he goes out there and has to throw a 25-yard shot is not a comfortable feeling.. back, and you

kept him out for the remainder of the game..
This will be the third game that Watson has missed due to the injury, after he was first hit in Week 3 against the Titans.. Watson was ruled

out for Week 4 after trying to go through a pregame warmup, and then did not play in Week 6 against the 49ers..

Van Pelt said that early on in the game against the Colts, Watson didn’t quite look like himself on his first few passing attempts.. Watson’s

first pass of the game was thrown to RB Jerome Ford, who missed.. Then, on the Browns’ next offensive drive, Watson completed another short incomplete pass to RB Kareem Hunt before a deep ball intended for WR Marquise Goodwin was intercepted..

Given the nature of the quarterback position and the fact that Watson is a thrower, Van Pelt said when a player cannot throw 100%, it is

difficult to compete and be successful.. So after the collision, all these factors led to the decision to keep him off the field for the remainder of the match..
“I wouldn’t say that because of a lack of demand,” Van Pelt said.. “I know he’s frustrated.. I know he’s trying to do everything he can to get

Watson wasn’t sure if starting against the Colts would set him back, as he said he wasn’t 100 percent before the game.. He tried to follow the same process to see if he could make the throw and play.. Then came the shot..

“I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t,” Watson said.. “And at that time, I was beaten, I was beaten right in that area.. When I hit the field on

that last play, I guess I was down, same situation, boom, boom.. So I was a bit shocked.. ..”

Watson was a limited participant last Thursday and then a full participant on Friday before the Colts game. Even though he went through

a full workload on Friday, Watson said that he didn’t feel perfect during Friday’s practice. Watson described Friday’s practice as controlled

and doesn’t provide the same type of environment as in-game reps, where he must react and not think about each throw. However, he felt like he had enough in his throws.

Van Pelt said they were hopeful as a staff after Friday’s work heading into Sunday’s game. Watson’s practice on Friday was better than

Thursday, and they thought with the day in between the game, he could potentially feel even better for Week 7. Watson went through his

normal pregame routine, and at that time, Van Pelt said they believed it was enough to give him the opportunity to play and start against the Colts.

Now, as the Browns continue through Week 8 and Watson continues his rehab process, Watson said he has thrown some this week. He’s

following the process and steps the medical team has laid out for him.

“Being a quarterback, you have to throw the ball,” Watson said. “I have a blessed ability to be able to run the ball and then stem plays and

things like that, but every quarterback don’t need that. If it was my left shoulder, then I can still use my right shoulder; but since I can’t

use my right shoulder and that’s my throwing arm, it’s hard to direct balls. It’s hard to get the ball where I want it to get to past a certain amount with a certain velocity while defenders is running around. So, it’s the one thing that I need to play the position at a high level especially.”

Through the ups and downs of his injury, Watson said he’s been able to stay in a good headspace. He’s relied on those close to him, as well as his teammates and the organization as he’s continued his rehab. Watson said that his relationship with Stefanski has played an important role, and that their relationship allows them to be on the same page through this process.

“That’s a great head coach,” Watson said. “That’s a great friend. It’s not all about trying to force somebody who’s not even 50 percent

ready to go out there, to go out there. He wants to make sure he gets the best version of me – not just for himself, but for the team. And it

would just be very selfish if he just threw me out there just because of my name and my status, and I think that’s the biggest thing.”