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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Status
IR - Achilles - Surgery Expected Return: 2025-02-10Latest Deshaun Watson news
Other Browns Players
Team
Cleveland Browns
Birthdate
9/14/1995 (29)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
6'3", 223 lbs
Draft Info
2017: Rd 1; Pk (HOU)
Birthplace
Gainesville, GA, USA
Position
QB
College
Clemson
Experience
8 seasons
Career History
Cleveland Browns
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Houston Texans
2017-2022
(5 seasons)
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.
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 tendon. According to Berry, the Browns weren't aware of Watson having suffered a setback until he was re-evaluated Sunday during his end-of-season physical. As a result of the setback, Berry noted that Watson could require another surgery, though the quarterback will presumably 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 -- especially considering the team will be picking second in the 2025 Draft, putting them in prime position to select Watson's successor.
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.
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 scores on the ground.
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.
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 move him off the 53-man roster to clear a spot for another quarterback in Bailey Zappe, who was signed off the Chiefs' practice squad. With Watson set to undergo surgery in the near future to address the injury, 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 five-year, $230 million extension, Watson has made just 19 appearances and has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 TD:INT. If he experiences no complications in his recovery from surgery, the 29-year-old Watson should be cleared in advance of the 2025 season, though given his poor form over the past few seasons, it's unclear if the Browns will view him as a viable starting option.
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 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 each 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.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski noted after Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals that Watson is believed to have suffered a season-ending Achilles injury but will undergo testing to confirm the severity of the issue, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports. With Watson facing the possibility of an extended absence and Dorian Thompson-Robinson dealing with a finger injury, Jameis Winston is currently the healthiest Browns' QB ahead of next Sunday's game against the Ravens. In any case, look for added context regarding Watson's injury to arrive no later than Monday, but based on the initial diagnosis, he appears headed for IR in the coming days.
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.