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Deshaun Watson rests, while David Njoku, Dorian Thompson-Robinson shine | Browns takeaways
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- Deshaun Watson rests, while David Njoku, Dorian Thompson-Robinson shine | Browns takeaways
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Deshaun Watson did not throw during Friday's final training camp practice at The Greenbrier. That it took the Browns quarterback that long to reach that point can only be viewed as a relative positive.
When the Browns arrived in West Virginia on July 25, the questions about Watson were about the kind of throwing schedule he would be on, at least early in camp. To that point, all that was seen in organized activities was essentially an every-other-day throwing schedule, with him adding 7-on-7 drills to his individual work during June minicamp.
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So the fact Watson took all of the first-team reps in the 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills over the first six practices backed up claims by the Browns that the quarterback was ahead of schedule with regards to his shoulder rehab. He had surgery to repair the shoulder on Nov. 21, but didn't start any kind of throwing program until March 18.
"He's done a nice job throughout the days that he's throwing," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after Friday's practice. "I thought he was doing really well. He's focused, locked in. Even today, proud of him for being in the huddle, giving coaching points. I think that's such a huge part of this as the starting quarterback is, even on a day like this where he gets an off day throwing, it's not an off day from a leadership perspective. And he did a nice job."
Stefanski said Watson would be back on the field throwing on Sunday. The Browns will conduct their first training camp practice of the year at their Berea headquarters starting at 2 p.m. that day.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson talks with tight end David Njoku (85) during minicamp, Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Berea.
Friday, Watson's day basically consisted of watching from behind the play while Jameis Winston moved up to get first-team reps. He often pantomimed the play right up until the point of throwing the ball, a routine that became common last October while he was dealing with a strained rotator cuff.
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"Just following the protocol, he's being diligent about what we're asking him to do," Stefanski said. "Gave him a day off today. He probably would've thrown if we let him, but just staying true to what we have a plan here with the medical team."
A new phase of the preseason for the Browns begins next week, which will culminate Saturday with their preseason opener at home against the Green Bay Packers . They will follow that up the next two Saturdays with a home game Aug. 17 against the Minnesota Vikings — which comes after two days of joint practices that week — and a road game Aug. 24 at the Seattle Seahawks .
Stefanski has been coy about his plans for potentially giving Watson any playing time in the preseason. Will the progress over the first seven practices impact that decision?
"I think everything affects those honestly," Stefanski said. "I'll sit down with the coaches tomorrow and really hash out a plan. We've had a few discussions on what we may do and it's really, as you can imagine, it's by player. It's not really just a blanket, 'Here's what we're going to do.' We're going to make a decision based on every player and what we feel like they need to get ready for the season."
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Here are some other takeaways from the Browns' seven practices over nine days in West Virginia:
David Njoku 's consultation with Mike Vrabel paying off in practice
One player who has stood out over the course of the first week-plus of camp has been tight end David Njoku. Fresh off a career Pro Bowl year last season, he seemed to be virtually unguardable at times, both in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
Between reps, Njoku could regularly be seen working with Mike Vrabel, who has been hired as a coaching and personnel consultant for the Browns. Stefanski said Vrabel's defensive background made him an ideal candidate to help the talented tight end.
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That has shown up in Njoku's start to camp.
"I mean, Dave looks healthy," Stefanski said. "Like you mentioned, [he] is making a lot of plays for us in the pass game right now. A dependable player. We're asking him to do some things that he hasn't done before. I think he's taken the bit in terms of learning some different techniques, if you will, different concepts. He's done a nice [job]."
Dorian Thompson-Robinson 's looks strong throwing the football
All eyes were obviously on Watson among the Browns' four quarterbacks. However, it was another quarterback who may have, at times, stolen the show.
Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson throws during minicamp June 11 in Berea.
Second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson showed off some substantial development in his second training camp with the Browns. Specifically, the 2023 fifth-round pick out of UCLA displayed an arm strength that wasn't necessarily there during his rookie season.
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Not only that, but Thompson-Robinson also seemed to carry himself with more confidence than a year ago. He ended up starting three games for the Browns as a rookie, while appearing in two others before a season-ending hip injury.
"That kind of goes back to Dorian last year," Stefanski said. "We've talked a lot about the growth he had in year one and you expect similar growth in year two. He's really doing a nice job."
Myles Garrett , Jerry Jeudy continue preseason ramp-up
One player who almost never got on the field during the time at The Greenbrier was reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Other than jumping into a couple of install walk-throughs, he didn't do anything on the field.
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Garrett did take time when he was behind the play working with some of the younger players, specifically defensive ends Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas . But his physical activity was mostly limited to working off to the side with a trainer.
The same was true for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who spent most of the week working to the side. He did get in individual drills the last two practices.
All of it, according to Stefanski, is part of a ramp-up process for both players. Neither of them is on an injury list, so they can return at any time.
"Yeah, we'll get to Sunday and we'll obviously address that," Stefanski said. "But they're all very close. I would expect it soon."
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns takeaways from Greenbrier start with Deshaun Watson's day off
