Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) suffered a re-tear of his Achilles tendon and had another surgery on Thursday to fix it, according to sources informed of the situation. The re-tear comes less than three months after his original tear, and Watson could now miss the entire 2025 season. General manager Andrew Berry announced on Monday that Watson had suffered a setback in his rehab, but now we know that it's a pretty serious setback. Even if Watson can make it back at some point this year, there's an even bigger question about how he would perform after dual Achilles injuries. Since the Browns acquired Watson, he's played in just 19 of a possible 51 regular-season games due to injury and suspension -- he was suspended 11 games in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct. If he misses all of 2025, he will have played in just 19 of a possible 85 regular-season games.
Jan 10, 2025 12:21 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) suffered a setback in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, according to general manager Andrew Berry. The development will delay Watson's ultimate recovery, but Berry couldn't specify what his timetable looked like. This setback is tough news for Watson, who has missed a whopping 49 games over the last four seasons due to suspensions and injuries. In fact, he hasn't played more than half the games in his schedule since 2020, which was his final campaign as the Houston Texans' starting quarterback. Amidst the injuries and suspensions, Watson has demonstrated poor performance, too. He had 1,148 passing yards, six touchdowns, and six turnovers through seven games before tearing his Achilles tendon this season, prompting fans to call for his benching. The Browns didn't look much better with a combination of Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Bailey Zappe, and Cleveland ultimately restructured Watson's contract to imply that he'll remain on the roster in 2025. He'll likely face the most competition of his career, though. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport previously reported that the Browns might look to bring in a veteran like Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers, and they've also been linked to several top quarterback prospects after securing the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Even once he recovers from his injury, Watson's job is far from guaranteed, and his fantasy value is continuing to decline. Most fantasy managers in dynasty leagues will be forced to hold him, though, as it would be tough to find a trade partner who wants to take on an injured, struggling quarterback whose team is actively searching for his replacement.
Jan 6, 2025 10:22 AM EST
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is almost certain to never play a meaningful down for the Cleveland Browns again despite restructuring his contract last Friday to add additional void years down the road. The move creates salary cap space and flexibility for the team next year and pushes Watson's guaranteed money down the line, but it doesn't guarantee him any playing time in the future in Cleveland. Jackson believes it's clear that the Browns will be starting from scratch at QB next spring, especially given how bad Dorian Thompson-Robinson has looked in his two starts. Between suspension and injury, the 29-year-old Watson has been a disaster in his time with Cleveland and may not be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign. The good news for the Browns is that a loss in Week 18 to the Ravens should give them the second or third pick in next year's draft.
Dec 30, 2024 11:33 PM EST
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson have agreed to restructure his contract. As a result, this will provide the Browns more relief on their cap space over the remaining years of the deal. However, this move also suggests Watson will remain on the Browns next season. Since making his Browns debut in 2022, Watson has seen his production decline significantly compared to the start of his NFL career when he was a Houston Texan. Across 19 games, Watson has held a 19:12 TD:INT ratio and has lost five fumbles. This season, Watson made seven starts before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. Across this stint, Watson averaged just 164.0 passing yards per game. If Watson enters the 2025 campaign as the QB1, he should remain a target in deeper Superflex leagues but not in 1QB formats.
Dec 27, 2024 4:30 PM EST
Despite being 3-10 heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Cleveland Browns expect quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), reigning NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry to return in 2025, according to sources. Watson's role, however, is up in the air with the Browns moving forward after he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear midseason. Cleveland traded three first-round picks to the Texans to acquire Watson in 2022 and then signed him to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract. Since joining the team, he has played in just 19 games and has posted a weak 80.7 passer rating when on the field. A post-June 1 release of Watson would create around $119 million in dead money, which would be the most in NFL history. The Browns are stuck with Watson for now, and he'll be off the fantasy radar coming off his serious injury in 2025.
Dec 14, 2024 12:27 PM EST
There's an "overwhelming likelihood" that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will remain with the team in 2025, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB. However, the Browns are expected to "work to put competition in the quarterback room, either through the draft or free agency," Breer said. This is an important development given that there has been significant speculation about Watson's future in Cleveland. Per Breer's understanding, Watson will be given the chance to recover from his Achilles tear and regain the starting role in Cleveland, but it won't merely be given to him as easily as it was ahead of the 2024 season. Rather, the veteran quarterback will have to get healthy and beat out competition if he has any shot at starting in Week 1 next year.
Nov 22, 2024 12:43 AM EST
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Barry said "it's always possible" that quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will return to play football for the team again after he recovers from his torn Achilles. Watson had surgery to fix his torn right Achilles last Friday, and barring a setback in his lengthy rehab, the 29-year-old signal-caller should be ready for the start of the 2025 season next fall. Before his injury, though, Watson looked like the worst QB in the league, completing 63.4 percent of his 216 pass attempts for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions while taking a league-high 33 sacks in just seven games. Since joining the team in 2022, Watson has been injured and ineffective, completing 61.2% of his passes with 19 TDs and 12 picks. He's due $46 million in each of the next two seasons, which is a lot of money to pay an ineffective and oft-injured QB.
Nov 6, 2024 12:33 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) underwent successful surgery on Friday. He's expected to make a full recovery. The signal-caller suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the divisional matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his season. Watson had a year to forget in 2024-25, throwing for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also completed only 63.4% of his attempts. For now, Watson will focus on his rehab efforts, although it will be a while before he returns to the field. But it's unknown If he's already played his final game as a Cleveland Brown. Without Watson at the helm, Jameis Winston will take over under center. While the Browns offense isn't the best, Winston has a place in multi-quarterback formats for Week 8 versus the Baltimore Ravens.
Oct 26, 2024 12:15 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is set to undergo surgery on Friday with Packers team physician Dr. Robert Anderson to repair his ruptured Achilles tendon, according to Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot. Watson suffered the season-ending injury in the Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and is facing a ninth-month recovery timeline. The former first-round pick by the Houston Texans did not flash in his first two seasons with Cleveland, and his 2024 season was off to a disastrous start. He completed 64.3% of his passes for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions as Cleveland got out to a 1-6 record. Veteran quarterback Jameis Winston is expected to be the starter moving forward, and Watson's future with the Browns is uncertain.
Oct 23, 2024 2:08 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on Injured Reserve due to a torn Achilles, effectively ending his 2024 season. In a corresponding move, Bailey Zappe was officially signed to the active roster off of the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad. Watson could have played in his last career game with the Browns after suffering the serious injury. If so, his final numbers as Brown will read 3,365 yards passing, 19 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 19 games. Zappe, who spent the last two seasons with the New England Patriots, will likely back up Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Oct 22, 2024 2:54 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is set to miss the rest of the 2024 season after going down during Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson suffered a torn Achilles that is going to sideline him for the rest of 2024 and figures to keep him out part of next season. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is hopeful for Watson's recovery, but the organization doesn't seem fully committed to Watson going forward. This is now the second straight season that Watson will have a season-ending injury. When healthy, Watson has looked lackluster on the field, which isn't helping his case. The Browns have fallen to 1-6 with the loss on Sunday. The organization would be foolish to overlook taking a possible franchise quarterback if they get the chance in the draft. Watson is still owed $44.2 million for next season, but that doesn't sound like it's going to stop Cleveland from trying to find their next franchise quarterback.
Oct 21, 2024 9:24 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) suffered a torn Achilles in the Week 7 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to a source, and his 2024 season is over. According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, Watson will undergo surgery soon, and he's deciding between the conventional surgery and the new "speed-bridge" procedure that Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has last year. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who also did Watson's shoulder surgery, got Rodgers back on the practice field within 77 days, around four months faster than with a traditional Achilles repair. The 29-year-old's future with Cleveland could now be in question, especially since he's unlikely to be ready for the start of next season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) took over for Watson on Sunday, but it could be Jameis Winston making the start in Week 8 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens.
Oct 21, 2024 1:02 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering a serious-looking, non-contact injury during the second quarter. He was having one of his best games of the year at the time of his departure, completing 15 of 17 passes for 128 yards. He also took two sacks. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Browns fear Watson tore his Achilles, which would end his season. Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson late in the first half, and he will presumably remain Cleveland's starting quarterback going forward. Jameis Winston, who is inactive as the Browns' emergency third quarterback this week, could also compete for playing time going forward.
Oct 20, 2024 3:00 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (leg) exited during the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering a serious-looking, non-contact injury. He was having one of his best games of the year at the time of his departure, completing 15 of 17 passes for 128 yards. He also took two sacks. Based on footage from the CBS broadcast and analysis from Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, Watson might have suffered an Achilles tear. Still, he'll have to undergo additional testing before the Browns confirm any sort of diagnosis. In the event that his season is over, Dorian Thompson-Robinson would presumably step up as the Browns' starting quarterback, with Jameis Winston also a candidate to earn playing time.
Oct 20, 2024 2:43 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will look for his first 200-yard passing game of the season when he squares off against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 7. The Watson-led Cleveland offense has struggled greatly this season, ranking 30th in the league in points per game and last with just 240.2 yards per game. The Bengals have been generous to opposing quarterbacks so far, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Amari Cooper is now a member of the Buffalo Bills and Watson's play has not inspired confidence in fantasy regardless of how friendly the matchup is. Treat him as a low-end QB2 heading into Week 7.
Oct 19, 2024 7:12 AM EST
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Tuesday that the league's review of the most recent sexual-assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is ongoing, despite the fact that Watson's camp already settled the latest lawsuit with the plaintiff. If the NFL finds that the newest complaint rises to a new violation of their personal-conduct policy, it can levy further sanctions against Watson, including another suspension, a fine or more counseling. Not only has Watson looked terrible in 2024 through the first six weeks of the season, but he just lost his top receiver -- Amari Cooper was traded to the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday -- and the possibility of another suspension is on the table. Through the first six weeks, Watson checks in as the QB24 in overall fantasy points and should only be rostered in superflex leagues at this point.
Oct 15, 2024 8:04 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the team will continue with quarterback Deshaun Watson as their starter after another loss in Week 6 to the Philadelphia Eagles. "I think Deshaun (Watson) gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win," Stefanski said. Watson has been really bad so far in 2024, although he was able to avoid any turnovers on Sunday against Philly. The 29-year-old went 16-for-23 for 168 yards without a touchdown and has yet to even throw for 200 yards in six games this season. It appears that the surgery on his right shoulder has sapped him of much of his arm strength, but Watson has also made plenty of head-scratching decisions to lead the Browns to a 1-5 record after six weeks. The impending return of running back Nick Chubb (knee) may not be enough to salvage Watson's starting job the rest of the season.
Oct 14, 2024 1:50 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 16 of his 23 passes for 168 yards and no touchdowns while adding four carries for 17 yards in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6. Watson struggled against a weak pass defense for a second consecutive week as he was unable to lead his team on any touchdown-scoring drives in the close road loss. The veteran quarterback has now failed to throw for more than 196 yards in any of his six games this season as the Browns have struggled mightily on offense. Steadily sinking into low-end QB2 territory in fantasy, Watson will take five touchdowns and three interceptions into a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Oct 13, 2024 4:06 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has struggled for much of the 2024 season, managing to throw for multiple touchdowns in just one of five games thus far. He will look to turn things around in Week 6's road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have struggled against opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to the position through four games. The plus matchup gives some optimism for Watson to have a good game, although he failed to capitalize on a similarly good matchup against the Washington Commanders last week, throwing for just 125 yards and one touchdown. The Cleveland offense looks broken with the offensive line banged up, Watson playing poorly, and the receivers struggling with drops, making it very tough to trust the Browns' quarterback in fantasy leagues this week. Treat Watson as a low-end QB2 for Week 6.
Oct 11, 2024 3:31 PM EST
A new lawsuit accusing Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and battery has been resolved, according to the plaintiff's lawyer, Tony Buzbee. Watson denied the allegations in a statement issued by his attorney, Rusty Hardin. The NFL has been reviewing the complaint under their personal-conduct policy but did not place Watson on the commissioner's exempt list because there haven't been formal charges filed. The 29-year-old Watson served an 11-game suspension in 2022 after more than a dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. It's unclear if he's in danger of being suspended by the NFL again. Watson has not played well in five games in 2024 and is currently the QB20 in fantasy points, but the Browns will continue to stick with him heading into a Week 7 contest versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
Oct 7, 2024 10:55 PM EST
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