Watson (Achilles) accompanied the Browns to Las Vegas for Sunday's game against the Raiders, marking the first time he's joined the team on the road this season, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Watson will be on the sideline to serve as a resource to rookie Shedeur Sanders, who will be making his first NFL start Sunday. The 30-year-old's presence in Las Vegas is also a sign that he's making progress in his recovery from the right Achilles tendon he re-ruptured back in January, requiring a second surgery in less than three months. The Browns haven't offered up any specifics regarding where Watson stands in his rehab program, but he's posted multiple videos on social media in recent weeks that appear to show him dropping back on snaps and throwing without being compromised by the Achilles injury. Cleveland could open Watson's 21-day practice window at any time, though the organization may prefer to wait until OTAs in the spring to clear the veteran signal-caller for on-field work. Watson will be entering the final season of a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in 2026.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Progressing, but not practicing
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The Browns plan on waiting until at least Week 12 to potentially open the 21-day practice window for Watson (Achilles), Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Watson was progressing well in his recovery from Jan. 20 surgery and didn't dismiss the possibility of the quarterback could practice this week, but a return to the field will instead be delayed by at least one more week. Given that he hasn't practiced in more than a year, he'll likely need close to the full 21-day window to fully ramp up before the Browns would consider activating him from the PUP list. Despite having been out all season, Watson has attended all meetings and has filled a mentorship role for Cleveland's two rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and backup Shedeur Sanders. The 30-year-old remains under contract with the Browns through next season after inking a five-year, $230 million extension with Cleveland shortly after he was acquired from the Texans in March 2022.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Not ready to practice
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Watson (Achilles) won't have his 21-day practice window opened this week, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Stefanski noted that he had no update on the status of Watson, though the lack of new information isn't necessarily a sign that the quarterback has experienced any sort of setback. Watson was always expected to be in line for a lengthy rehab process from the right Achilles tendon tear he sustained last October and then subsequently re-ruptured, which required a second surgery Jan. 9. Once Watson completes his rehab and advances to the point in his recovery that he's ready to practice, the Browns should have a better idea regarding whether the veteran signal-caller has a realistic chance at playing in games late in the 2025 season.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Progressing, but return on hold
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he had "no real update" on Watson's (Achilles) status beyond noting that the quarterback is "doing a great job with his rehab," Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
While Watson -- who suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture in Week 7 last season and then underwent an additional surgery in January -- is eligible to resume practicing at any time since he's already missed the minimum four games to begin the season, the expectation is that the quarterback is still weeks away from getting back on the field. With the Browns having traded away Kenny Pickett in August and Joe Flacco last week, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are the only signal-callers currently on the team's active roster.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Not expected to practice this week
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Watson (Achilles) is not expected to return to practice this week, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Watson is currently on the reserve/PUP list and is eligible to begin practicing this week, but that doesn't sound like it's in the cards for the 30-year-old quarterback. Watson suffered a torn Achilles in Week 7 last season and is roughly eight months removed from surgery. It remains to be seen if Watson will play again for the Browns, who have offered very little on the status of Watson's recovery.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Placed on PUP list
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Watson (Achilles) was placed on the active/PUP list by the Browns on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
As expected, Watson will officially open training camp on the sidelines as he recovers from a second right Achilles procedure that he underwent in January. The quarterback is projected to miss the beginning of the 2025 campaign, and once healthy, it seems unlikely that the 29-year-old will regain the starting role in Cleveland. The Browns will enter camp with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett,Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as healthy options at QB.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Out of walking boot
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Watson (Achilles) has been out of his walking boot for several weeks and was throwing to teammates at the Browns' facility Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.
Watson had a second surgery on his Achilles on Jan. 9 after aggravating the injury. He's not expected to be ready for the start of the season, and he isn't projected to compete for the starting job even when he is capable of retaking the field. Nevertheless, Cabot described Watson as having made "excellent progress" in his recovery.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Has setback with Achilles injury
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After rupturing his Achilles again, Watson underwent another surgery Thursday to address the injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.
As a result of the setback, Watson's 2025 season could now be in jeopardy. Look for further details regarding Watson's estimated recovery timeline to emerge in the coming days and weeks, but the Browns figure to fortify their depth at the quarterback position this offseason, via free agency, trade or through the 2025 NFL Draft in which Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall selection.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Hits snag in recovery
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Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Monday that Watson has experienced a setback in his rehab from Achilles surgery that will extend the quarterback's recovery timeline, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Watson suffered the season-ending injury in an Oct. 20 loss to the Bengals and underwent surgery Oct. 25 to repair his torn right Achilles. According to Berry, the Browns weren't aware of Watson having suffered a setback until he was evaluated again Sunday during his end-of-season physical. As a result of the setback, Berry noted that Watson could require another surgery, though the quarterback presumably will receive multiple medical opinions over the next few weeks before deciding the next steps in his rehab program. Given the nature of Achilles injuries, Watson was already facing an uphill battle to be back to full health for the start of the 2025 campaign, and it's now even more likely that he opens next season on a reserve list. After agreeing to a restructured contract in late December, Watson remains on the Browns' books through the 2026 season, but his underwhelming play over his first three seasons in Cleveland in addition to the Achilles injury muddles his long-term outlook in the organization. The Browns will also be picking second in the 2025 NFL Draft, putting them in prime position to select Watson's successor.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Agrees to restructured contract
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Watson (Achilles) and the Browns agreed to a restructured contract Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
The restructured contract doesn't alter Watson's pay or salary structure, but it spreads out the financial impact of the deal by adding two void years. The quarterback still is under contract, will be paid the next two seasons and then become a free agent in 2027. The restructure does not necessarily mean Watson will be the team's quarterback in 2025, and the state of his injured ankle is not the only unknown. The Browns are expected to revamp the roster, which could impact Watson's status.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Surgery completed
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Watson underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a ruptured right Achilles' tendon, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
With his surgery going off without any complications, the 29-year-old quarterback should be back to full health for the start of the 2025 season, provided he steers clear of setbacks during what will be a lengthy rehab process. Though the Achilles surgery could curb Watson's rushing ability moving forward, the bigger question is whether he'll re-emerge as a starter in 2025 for the Browns or another team. He's still on the Browns' books through 2026 on a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, but Watson has hardly resembled the franchise quarterback that Cleveland thought it was getting when they acquired him in March 2022. Through his 19 career starts with Cleveland over three seasons, Watson has led the team to 9-10 record while completing 61.2 percent of his throws for 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 TD:INT to go with 465 rushing yards and three more scores.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Surgery set for Friday
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Watson is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday to repair his ruptured right Achilles' tendon, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
He'll have the procedure overseen by Packers team physician Dr. Robert Anderson, who specializes in foot and ankle orthopedic surgeries. According to Cabot, Watson will be facing a nine-month recovery, which should put him on pace to be close to 100 percent before the start of the 2025 season. Though Watson is still on the Browns' books through the 2026 season after signing a five-year extension for $230 million guaranteed in March 2022, his poor play and inability to stay on the field over his first three seasons in Cleveland could prompt the team to go in a different direction at quarterback in 2025, even if he's fully healthy.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Moves to IR
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The Browns placed Watson (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday.
After Watson suffered a season-ending ruptured right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals, the Browns didn't wait long to clear a spot for another quarterback in Bailey Zappe, who was signed off Kansas City's practice squad. With Watson set to undergo surgery in the near future, the Browns will turn the offense over to either Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) or Jameis Winston beginning with the team's Week 8 game against the Ravens. Since being traded to the Browns in March 2022 and signing a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million extension, Watson has made just 19 appearances, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 TD:INT. The 29-year-old should be ready to return for the start of the 2025 season, though given his poor form over the past few years, it's unclear if the Browns will still view him as a viable starting option.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Achilles tear confirmed
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Watson (Achilles) is done for the season after an MRI on Monday confirmed a torn Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Watson's season-ending injury during Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals puts Jameis Winston in a position to enter the starting lineup for Cleveland, though it was Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) who suited up as the Browns' backup quarterback Sunday versus Cincinnati. After a contract restructure to create cap space in 2023 and 2024, Watson is on the books for a $46 million base salary in both of the 2025 and 2026 seasons, though it's possible that insurance for season-ending injuries could now provide the Browns with some relief. In any case, Watson faces a lengthy recovery process that could put him at risk of being unavailable early in the 2025 campaign.
Watson won't return to Sunday's game against the Bengals after suffering an Achilles injury.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it is feared that Watson suffered a torn Achilles, and if that's the case, the QB would face an extended absence. With Jameis Winston serving as the Browns' emergency third QB on Sunday, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has taken over for Watson versus Cincinnati.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: No change at QB
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated Monday that Watson is still the team's starting quarterback, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "I have to coach better," Stefanski said. "As offensive coaches, we have to coach better. As players, we have to play better. Deshaun can play better, he will play better."
Stefanski said as much following Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Vikings and still feels the same way after having a night to sleep on it. Watson and the Browns travel to Philadelphia for Week 6, bringing an offense that ranks last offensively in yards per play (3.8), yards per game (239.4) and third-down efficiency (18.2 percent). The Eagles rank 27th in total yards allowed per game (365.8) and 24th in passing yards allowed per game (237.0).
Yes, I know how bad Watson has been. And I know Kyler Murray just struggled against this defense. But he's one of the few QBs in the last calendar year who haven't lit this defense up. Daniel Jones scored 20 Fantasy points against them just three weeks ago. I expect a big time bounce back from both Watson and Amari Cooper in this spot. For the record, I would strongly prefer Sam Darnold, but he's only available in 32% of leagues.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Sleeper QBs
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I wouldn't start Watson in a one-quarterback league, but he's a good option in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. He should take advantage of this matchup against the Giants, especially if Brian Burns (groin) is out for New York's defense. Watson's best game was 15.4 Fantasy points in Week 2 at Jacksonville, but he will hopefully have a two-touchdown outing for any Fantasy managers who need him in Week 3. And it would be great if Watson started to connect with Amari Cooper this week since Cooper only has five catches for 27 yards on 17 targets.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Will start Sunday
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Watson will start Sunday's game at Jacksonville, NFL.com reports.
Stefanski directed reporters to the team's official statement from Tuesday, in which the Browns said they will "respect the due process our legal system affords" after a civil lawsuit filed Monday accused Watson of sexual assault and battery in October 2020. Watson isn't expected to go on the commissioner's exempt list for now, with NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy announcing Tuesday that the league will "look into the matter under the personal conduct policy." The NFL suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million in 2022, after at least two dozen women made allegations similar to those in the lawsuit filed Monday. He has since reached confidential settlements for 23 of the 24 civil suits.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Facing civil lawsuit
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The NFL is not expected to place Watson on the commissioner's exempt list after a civil lawsuit was filed Monday accusing him of sexual assault and battery in October 2020, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. "We are reviewing the complaint, and we will look into the matter under the personal conduct policy. Not looking at commissioner's exempt list as there's been no formal charges and the league's review has just begun," league spokesperson Brian McCarthy said Tuesday.
Watson previously served an 11-game suspension, paid a $5 million fine and was ordered to undergo mandatory evaluation by behavioral experts and follow their suggested treatment program in 2022, after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. The lawsuit filed Monday represents a new complaint that the league will investigate and is one of two pending lawsuits filed against Watson, who had previously settled 23 of the 24 civil suits related to accusations of sexual misconduct.
