Amari Cooper reveals how Deshaun Watson is looking in practice

• NFL

Amari Cooper is refusing to declare that Deshaun Watson is back after one strong practice showing but noted that the quarterback is looking good. On Tuesday, it was reported that Watson looked very good and sharp during 7-on-7 drills in the red zone.

“I mean, you have no pass rush, it’s really like pitch and catch out there. Obviously, the DBs make plays sometimes. But it’s not a level playing field for them when we’re doing 7-on-7, so it should look like that every time," Cooper said, via Pro Football Talk.

Watson, who missed the entire 2021 season and was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season, wasn't anywhere near his old level when he returned to the field for the first time in two years. But importantly, Watson appeared in a couple of games and he is now working hard to return to his old self in 2023.

“He looks in a bit of a better groove. Just having that long layoff, of course you’re going to lose some rhythm, some form of rhythm. But he looks like he’s really getting that back," Cooper said.

Cooper says Watson is in a good place mentally, physically

Around this time last year, Watson was waiting on the NFL to learn about his suspension.

Now, Watson is completely focused on football. A week ago, Watson said he is working on getting his old confidence and form back. “Of course, it was me. At the same time, I think the biggest thing was just confidence. Just being able to go out there and know who I am and show that I can go out there and make every play and be very, very sharp and conservative on those times I need to make those plays and let the other people around me make those plays.

Building that confidence and getting back to Deshaun Watson, and that’s the key and that’s what I’ve been working on this offseason," Watson said.