'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Deshaun Watson has refused to give a firm timeline of his return even though he confirmed he is back to throwing and doing so at a level where he feels confident. The Cleveland Browns starter said that he felt confident, remarking:
"I feel really good, very confident in myself... Yeah, I’m throwing full speed. Everything is fluid, and motion is really good. The velocity and the strength is really good."
But he was ambivalent about his return date because it is on his throwing arm and said that he did not want to set a timeline because he wanted to be conservative. However, after throwing all summer and on return to training camp, Deshaun Watson will be able to make a better statement. For now, he commented:
"It can be sooner than later, it can be later than sooner... This is an injury that, for spring, you want to be a little bit more conservative. This summer you get ready for training camp. That's going to be a time where we can pick that up."
Pressure on Deshaun Watson as he seeks to establish himself for the Browns
The Cleveland Browns showed faith in Deshaun Watson when they rescued him from his Houston Texans purgatory and gave him a guaranteed contract. They took a chance on him even with myriad sexual misconduct allegations against him that were found to be credible enough to result in a significant suspension from the league.
When he was out during that period, the Browns still paid him despite the season being helmed by Jacoby Brissett. Last season, they gave him one of the best defenses in the league and he had uneven performances before incurring this shoulder injury. In his absence, Joe Flacco came off his couch and led them to the playoffs.
Whether through injury, suspension, or inconsistent play, Deshaun Watson has not delivered for the Browns. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud, who took over as the new quarterback hope for the Texans from him, took Houston past Cleveland in the playoffs this year.
In this transaction, it looks more than ever that the Texans got rid of their baggage on the Browns and have built a roster capable of challenging immediately. It is now up to Deshaun Watson to return from injury and show the fans and the management that it was worth it. That all the negative press, the money they are paying and the hope they are investing will generate some sort of a tangible return.
