The Cleveland Browns currently expect quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to be on the team next year, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "I can never predict the future, but right now we do anticipate him being on the 2026 team," general manager Andrew Berry said about Watson's status. Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in October of 2024 and re-ruptured the tendon and required a second surgery on Jan. 9 of 2025. The 30-year-old veteran stayed on the Physically Unable to Perform list all season, but if he can return to full health this year, he's expected to compete for the starting QB job this summer with Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Watson will be entering the final year of his five-year, $230 million deal in 2026. He'll be a huge question mark going into next season, but despite the investment the Browns still have in him, he's not guaranteed to win the starting job.
Jan 5, 2026 12:55 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will not be activated off the Physically Unable to Perform list before his activation window closes, ending his 2025 season. The much-embattled Browns quarterback has not appeared in a game since tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Watson struggled across seven games in 2024, completing 63.4% of his pass attempts for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. Previous reports have suggested that Cleveland may look to move on from Watson at the end of the 2025 season. If that's the case, the 30-year-old will finish his three-year stint with the Browns having played 19 games with an average of 6.0 yards per pass attempt, 19 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Browns have utilized the rookie quarterback combination of Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel for most of 2025, although neither has proven to be the team's unquestioned franchise quarterback for the future.
Dec 23, 2025 5:00 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided no updates on quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) regarding an activation to the 53-man roster. The deadline to activate Watson from the Physically Unable to Perform list is this Tuesday, and despite telling the media that a decision would be made this week, nothing appears imminent with approximately 24 hours to go. If no move is made by the deadline, Watson will be ineligible to play in the team's final two games, likely leaving rookie Shedeur Sanders as the starter for the rest of the season. The Browns will have Watson, Sanders, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel under contract heading into 2026, but with a projected top-five pick in April's draft, they will very much be in play to further address the quarterback position.
Dec 22, 2025 2:39 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that a decision on activating quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to the 53-man roster will be made next week, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. The deadline for the Browns to activate Watson from the Physically Unable to Perform list is next Tuesday. Watson has been ruled out for the Week 16 contest against the visiting Buffalo Bills. Even if the 30-year-old is activated from the PUP list before the Week 17 divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie Shedeur Sanders is expected to remain Cleveland's starter to close out the 2025 season. If the Browns don't activate Watson by next Tuesday, he'll be ineligible for the final two games of the year. The three-time Pro Bowler's NFL future remains incredibly murky, although he's expected to stick around in Cleveland next year and compete for the starting job with Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Dec 19, 2025 1:27 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns are planning to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on their roster next season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. While Watson is considered unlikely to play this season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles that required multiple surgeries, the team has expressed interest in keeping him on the roster, noting that the 30-year-old's veteran presence is valuable for their pair of rookie quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Another big reason Watson is expected to return is due to the fact that the Browns would have to take on a dead salary of close to $135 million if they released him before June 1 and a $53 million cap charge if he was designated as a post-June 1 cap casualty. The record for dead-cap money was set by the Denver Broncos with quarterback Russell Wilson at $85 million, which they split into two years, but releasing Watson would cost the Browns significantly more. With Watson set to return in 2026, he's expected to compete with Sanders and Gabriel for Cleveland's starting gig.
Dec 6, 2025 9:14 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) has been ruled out for Week 14's game against the Tennessee Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN reports. The Browns opened up Watson's 21-day practice window earlier this week, but the 30-year-old signal-caller is not expected to play this year. Watson tore his Achilles tendon in Week 7 last season and then underwent surgery shortly after to repair it. He subsequently re-ruptured his Achilles during his recovery and was forced to undergo a second surgery on Jan. 9. Watson is expected to remain on Cleveland's roster next season unless the Browns want to take on a dead salary of over $80 million in 2026, and no team would be willing to trade for him at this point. Rookie Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback again for the Browns in Week 14 against the Titans and has a chance to remain the starter for the rest of the season if he plays well enough.
Dec 5, 2025 4:06 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns opened up quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 21-day practice window this week, but league sources are telling CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones that it's a long shot that he will suit up this year. And unless the Browns want to take on a dead salary cap hit of more than $80 million in 2026, he'll likely be back on the roster next year. Watson tore his right Achilles on Oct. 20 of last year and had surgery within a week. During his recovery, he re-ruptured his Achilles and underwent a second surgery on Jan. 9. Cleveland signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in March 2022, but he has started only 19 of a possible 63 (and counting) regular-season games for the Browns. Trading Watson is not an option, but they could release him after this year and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, although that would result in a dead cap hit of almost $81 million. If he's back in 2026, Watson will be competing for the starting gig with at least Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
Dec 4, 2025 3:47 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns are opening the 21-day practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson and will be limited in practice on Wednesday. Watson suffered an Achilles tear in Week 7 of last season and had a setback in the offseason while recovering. The blockbuster trade that sent Watson from Houston to Cleveland has backfired completely, with Watson playing just 19 games in three seasons and averaging career lows in nearly every statistical category. While there has been no word on whether Watson will play this season, the Browns are activating him just before the deadline for PUP closes, which would prevent him from playing in 2025. Rookie Shedeur Sanders will likely remain the starter for the remainder of the season, but Watson's return to play will be a headline to watch.
Dec 3, 2025 10:59 AM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that he didn't have an update on quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), and the team has yet to open his 21-day practice window as he continues to rehab while on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The 30-year-old is making progress from a torn right Achilles that he re-ruptured in January, but he's still not ready to practice with the rest of the team and is a long shot to take any snaps under center for the Browns this year. Watson will be in the final season of a five-year, $230 million guaranteed deal in 2026, but the expectation is that he won't play for the Browns again. Cleveland started the year with veteran Joe Flacco under center before trading him to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie Dillon Gabriel got his chance as the starting QB before suffering a concussion, opening the door for Shedeur Sanders to take the gig the last two weeks. If he plays well enough, Sanders could finish the year as the Browns' QB.
Dec 1, 2025 3:19 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) made his first road trip of the regular season and will be on the sideline for Sunday's Week 12 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Watson has reportedly offered plenty of help to Dillon Gabriel (concussion) and Shedeur Sanders this season, and he worked closely with Sanders to help him understand the game plan before his first NFL start on Sunday. However, Sanders' start isn't the only reason why Watson made the trip. According to Cabot, it's also the first time the veteran quarterback was healthy enough to travel this season. In fact, he could be nearing a return to game action. Watson remains on the PUP list and might have his 21-day practice window activated soon, according to Cabot. The 30-year-old has been sidelined for over a year, but it appears his return could be coming in the near future.
Nov 23, 2025 10:08 AM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided no additional information on Monday regarding a potential timeline for the team to open the practice window of quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles). Watson ruptured his Achilles in Week 7 of last year and suffered an additional tear during the offseason, but all reports suggest that his recovery has been going well. Still, the Browns have not offered any clarity as to when, or if, he will return to the team. The 2-8 Browns have gotten starts from Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel (concussion) in 2025. With Gabriel currently in concussion protocol, it's possible that rookie Shedeur Sanders could make his first career start against the Raiders in Week 12.
Nov 17, 2025 2:38 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns will not open the 21-day practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) this week, despite him showing great progress in his recovery, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Watson continues to recover from the injury suffered in Week 7 of last season, in addition to a re-rupturing of his Achilles, but isn't quite ready to practice yet. It remains uncertain if he will return this season or play for Cleveland at all in the future. In the meantime, rookie Dillon Gabriel will continue to start at quarterback for Cleveland.
Nov 11, 2025 11:06 AM EST
When asked on Monday if Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) would have his 21-day practice window opened this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters, "I'm not sure if that's what we're doing." Recent reports have indicated that Watson's recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 7 of 2024 has been going well, even after an additional surgery in January. Rookie Dillon Gabriel has started the last five games for the Browns, going 1-4 in that stretch, while throwing six touchdown passes to two interceptions. Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders was the team's QB2 on Sunday after missing time with back tightness. Regardless of who is under center in Cleveland, the team's pass catchers face a muddled competition for below-average targets and will likely not be a part of many fantasy playoff rosters.
Nov 10, 2025 3:09 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 21-day practice window will not be opened this week, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. "No update, but doing a good job," Stefanski said. Reports have suggested that Watson has been doing really well in his rehab from a torn right Achilles that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024. The 30-year-old veteran signal-caller then had additional surgery on his Achilles in January. Although he has been doing well with his rehab, Watson isn't close to returning to practice and still is not expected to be a factor at QB for the Browns in 2025. The Browns already traded away QBs Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, which has left them with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders at the position in what is turning into another lost season. It won't be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another snap for the Browns in his career.
Nov 3, 2025 1:08 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) has been sidelined since Week 7 of last season, but is reportedly doing "great" in his rehab, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski didn't have an update on whether Watson was any closer to having his practice window opened, but he's made progress in his recovery. Watson's road to recovery was delayed when he re-tore his Achilles tendon later on and still doesn't seem that close to playing anytime soon. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Watson is still "a good month away" from being cleared to participate in any football activities. For the time being, rookie Dillion Gabriel will continue starting for Cleveland, with rookie Shedeur Sanders as his backup.
Oct 15, 2025 12:02 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to say if he foresees quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) playing this year, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Stefanski added that Watson is working hard in his rehab and has been in the meeting rooms with the rest of the team. Watson suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7 of last year and then re-tore his Achilles later on. The 30-year-old is around eight months removed from his surgery and isn't close to retaking the field. He's currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will not return to the practice field ahead of the team's Week 6 divisional tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers. For now, Cleveland is prepared to move forward with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, with rookie Shedeur Sanders potentially moving into the QB2 role after the team traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals this week.
Oct 8, 2025 12:29 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns won't open quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) practice window this week, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Watson remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he rehabs from a twice-ruptured right Achilles tendon last year. Watson went down with a torn Achilles in Week 7 of last year and continues to rehab from an injury that is expected to keep him out for all of the 2025 season. The Browns haven't offered many updates on the 30-year-old and figure to move on from him after this year. Before his season-ending Achilles injury in 2024, Watson performed poorly under center for the Browns and didn't look anything like the former QB he once was in Houston. The three-time Pro Bowler didn't play at all in 2021 due to a suspension and has started a combined 19 games in three years with the Browns due to injuries.
Oct 6, 2025 3:48 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is not expected to have his practice window opened this week, even though he's eligible after four weeks on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7 of last year and started the 2025 season on the PUP list as a result. The 30-year-old veteran is not anywhere near a return and probably should be considered a long shot to play at all this year. In fact, most people believe Watson has already played his last snap with the Browns. For now, the Browns will roll forward with veteran Joe Flacco as their starter under center, although there are already questions about how much longer the team will keep him as their starter, given how bad he's looked through four weeks. It could only be a matter of time before we see rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Sep 29, 2025 12:31 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns officially placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday to begin the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Watson tore his Achilles in the middle of last season and had multiple surgeries in the offseason. He will have to miss at least the first four games this year, but the full expectation is that the 29-year-old will miss the entire year. Cleveland will begin the season with veteran Joe Flacco under center, with one of rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders backing him up after they traded Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. The Watson investment has been one of the worst front-office decisions in franchise history to this point, as he has played in just 19 games since the start of 2021. It would not be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another down for the Browns again.
Aug 26, 2025 3:53 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns have placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on the active/physically unable to perform list, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero notes that Watson's status for the 2025 season is "up in the air." Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2024 season, then tore it again while rehabbing this past January. As a result, it's unlikely he factors for Cleveland this season. The Browns have a crowded QB room entering training camp. Veteran Joe Flacco and former first-round pick Kenny Pickett are the favorites to win the job for Week 1, while 2025 draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders bring some added competition. Even when Watson returns to full strength, he may no longer be in the Browns' plans. The 29-year-old has struggled whenever he's been on the field for Cleveland.
Jul 22, 2025 9:10 PM EST
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