Petersen: Huskies QB Jake Browning Remains on Expected Rehab Timeline
Three months since having surgery on his throwing shoulder, UW head coach Chris Petersen said junior quarterback Jake Browning remains on schedule as the Huskies head into the off-season.
In a limited role Saturday the Huskies signal-caller completed 6 of 10 pass attempts totaling 47 yards. None of the five quarterbacks Washington has on its roster were able to complete a touchdown against the UW defense.
"He was fine. It was good to get him out there and get some team reps," Petersen said of Browning's performance Saturday. "He’s got a lot of work to do as we go through the summer, which we’re right on track with where we want to be with him. Maybe even a little bit ahead."
Browning suffered a right shoulder injury in a 44-18 victory over Arizona State on Nov. 19, electing to hold off on surgery until January, after the season. The sophomore QB completed 27 of 44 pass attempts and 338 yards against the Sun Devils defense, combining with two interceptions and touchdowns.
The final three games Browning failed to eclipse 300 passing yards, including sub-200 yard performances against Colorado in the Pac-12 Championship Game and Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Browning said he is throwing "pain-free" while continuing to regain his strength heading into off-season conditioning.
"You can’t [take] three months off from running sprints and get right back into running without having to work through some kinks and stuff like that," Browning said, comparing his rehab mentality to that of a sprinter getting back into condition.
"That’s kind of where I’m at right now, just getting my body used to a high-volume of throws. But like I said, it’s going how it’s supposed to. I’m happy be back out there. It sucks watching. And I’m pretty happy with where it’s at.”
A three-year starter at Folsom High School (Folsom, California) Browning set the national prep record throwing for 229 touchdowns, attempting over 1,700 passes and totaling 16,775 passing yards.
So, for Browning to spend a majority of his spring watching backup quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels and others from the sideline, the change in scenery has served as a benefit when he reviews each practice.
But, admittingly, the Huskies quarterback said it certainly hasn't been the most exciting time while serving as a quasi 'assistant coach'.
" I think there’s some little things you notice here and there, but I wasn’t happy just sitting out there," Browning said. "I know when I’m playing, Tony Rodriguez is a guy when I come to the sideline he’s, ‘Hey, this look, blah, blah, blah.’ He’s on top of it, so I try to be that guy to him or K.J. I think there’s some stuff (you can see), but you’d rather be out there playing.”