Cleveland Browns fans celebrate in the first half of Sunday's game at FirstEnergy Stadium, November 24, 2019. The Browns took a 28-3 lead into the locker room at halftime against the Miami Dolphins. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Browns sign CB Justin Hardee Sr.
Hardee is a native of Cleveland and attended Glenville High School
CB Justin Hardee Sr. is returning to Cleveland to join his hometown team, as the Browns announced they have signed Hardee to a contract. Hardee is originally from Cleveland and attended Glenville High School.
Hardee is entering his eighth NFL season out of Illinois and has been a key piece in kick and punt return coverage over his career. Originally signed by Houston as an undrafted free agent in 2017, Hardee has appeared in 100 career games with the Saints (2017-20) and Jets (2021-23), and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022. He has recorded one career interception and 63 special teams tackles. Last season, he appeared in 11 games and registered five special teams tackles.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson issues injury update
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has given a positive update on his recovery from the shoulder injury that wrecked his 2023 campaign.
Watson suffered a glenoid fracture in his throwing shoulder during a Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens last season, subsequently undergoing surgery that ruled him out of the rest of the season.
The injury came just as Watson looked to be finding momentum in a Browns uniform for the first time since his controversial 2022 trade, but the 28-year-old appears to be pleased with how his recovery is going.
“The situation is good,” Watson told his QB Unplugged podcast as he revealed he is back throwing the football. “We’re in a great spot, right where we need to be. We have plenty of time to ramp up the throwing sessions and things like that, but everything is going pretty smooth.
“As long as I’m feeling well and the doctors and (physical therapists) and everyone are on the same page, we’re in a good spot.”
In Watson’s absence last season, veteran QB Joe Flacco was signed and led the Browns to the playoffs, where they lost to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.
Flacco was not re-signed prior to free agency this year, but the team did move to snap up former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston to back-up Watson, who has started just 12 games over the past three seasons, owing to injury and legal issues.
