Browns Make Deshaun Watson Decision Ahead of Jets Game

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will have to wait at least another week before being cleared to practice.

Watson continues to work his way back from a twice-ruptured Achilles. He suffered the initial injury in October of last year and experienced a setback in January that required a second surgery.

Watson has been sharing videos of his rehab progress and appears to be making steady strides. The plan was for him to undergo testing during the Browns’ bye week to determine if he was ready to return to practice. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Watson will remain on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list for at least another week.

“Yeah, I don’t believe that’s happening this week,” Stefanski said. “No update, but doing a good job.”

Once Watson is cleared to practice, the Browns will have 21 days to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster. If Cleveland determines after that window that he’s still not ready, Watson would remain on the PUP list for the rest of the season.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson Unlikely to See Field

Watson is eager to prove he can still perform at a high level. However, that opportunity is unlikely to come with the Browns, despite having two seasons left on his fully guaranteed $230 million contract he signed in 2022.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called the blockbuster trade for Watson a “swing and miss” during the offseason. Haslam recently referred to the failed move as a “tough break” for the franchise and head coach Kevin Stefanski.

The one thing working in Watson’s favor is that the Browns’ quarterback situation remains unresolved. Dillon Gabriel is the starter but has done little to show he’s a potential long-term option. Backup and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders is likely to get the next shot. The other option the Browns have on the roster is Bailey Zappe, who is currently on the practice squad.

Browns beat reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic does not believe Watson will see the field this season.

“It’s probably more than a couple of weeks. And even when they decide he can open his practice window, it’s still 21 days. And even if they decide he’s fully cleared and ready to go, putting him on the 53 doesn’t mean he has to play,” Jackson said on 92.3 The Fan. “I’m very strongly in the camp that he won’t play. I understand the window is open, the door is open, all of those things. We’re talking about availability windows not Super Bowl windows. It is far, far, far from a guarantee or even a probability that Deshaun Watson will play. It’s lingering but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Browns QB Deshaun Watson Making Impact Despite Injury

Watson has not been able to practice but he has been making his impact felt, serving as a mentor for the young QB room in Cleveland.

“Deshaun (Watson) is in there each and every day, and they bounce things off of Deshaun, about all kinds of things – football and offense, defense, quarterbacking-related,” Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said. “You can sense I enjoy being in that room with those guys and being associated with them.”

Watson turned 30 in September but believes he can produce as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

“Yeah, he’s definitely been through a lot,” Musgrave said. “I know he wants to play a lot of football again. He feels like he’s got a lot of tread left on his tires.”

The Browns will look to get their season back on track as they face the one-win New York Jets on Sunday.

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