Who Should I Start? Deshaun Watson or Lamar Jackson

Saturday, December 6, 9:14 PM

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.

Thursday, December 11, 2:00 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is back at the team's practice on Thursday, as expected, according to Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun. Jackson missed a few games early this year with a hamstring injury, and he's been listed on the injury report for several weeks with various lower-body injuries. The 28-year-old has played through an ankle issue of late and should do so again this weekend in another crucial divisional matchup against the hosting Cincinnati Bengals. The 28-year-old two-time MVP hasn't looked quite like himself in 2025, and he probably hasn't been 100% healthy. The good news is that Jackson had seven carries for 43 yards and his second rushing touchdown of the year in last week's loss to the Steelers. Although Jackson didn't throw a touchdown pass two weeks ago in the loss to Cincy, he did throw for 246 yards. Fantasy managers need to stick with him in Week 15 as a midrange QB1 in a good matchup.