Browns QB Deshaun Watson Gets Bad News on Return
Deshaun Watson is determined to return to the field this season but the outlook is grim for the Cleveland Browns‘ $230 million quarterback.
Watson is recovering from a twice-ruptured Achilles. He initially suffered the injury in October of last year and suffered a setback in January, requiring a second surgery.
Watson opened the season on the PUP list and has been working hard to get back on the field this season. The expectation was that he would be evaluated in the bye week and the team was going to make a decision whether or not to open up his practice window.
However, Browns beat reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic does not believe Watson will see the field this season, even if he is cleared for a return.
“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 Don’t View Deshaun Watson as Part of Future
The Browns have admitted the blockbuster 2022 trade and $230 million fully guaranteed contract for Watson was a “swing and miss.” And owner Jimmy Haslam continues to point at the move as a significant reason the team has not been able to turn into a contender.
“Kevin’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks,” Haslam told The Athletic, referring to the Watson trade. “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.”
The Achilles injury is not the first setback for Watson in Cleveland. And when available, he’s struggled to regain his Pro Bowl form from his Houston days, posting a 9-10 record as the starter while throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Browns QB Position Remains Unstable
Cleveland had an interesting strategy at the quarterback position this offseason, signing Joe Flacco and trading for Kenny Pickett. The Browns then drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and added Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.
Pickett and Flacco have both been traded away and the Browns are expected to rely on their rookies the rest of the way. Gabriel has started the last four games, going 1-3 in those contests but failing to spark the anemic Browns’ offense.
If the Browns decide to make a chance, Sanders would likely be next in line. The polarizing former Colorado star has yet to take reps with the first-team offense but has said he’s remaining ready if his number is called.
The Browns will face the New York Jets out of the bye week with an opportunity to turn things around.
Bo Nix Explains the 'Edge' J.K. Dobbins Has Brought to Broncos
When the Denver Broncos signed veteran running back J.K. Dobbins, head coach Sean Payton thought he was getting a starting-caliber ball-carrier for his offense. Payton was definitely right about that, as halfway through the season, Dobbins ranks third in the NFL in rushing, but the sixth-year back has also been a tremendous leader and tone-setter for the Broncos.
Ask Bo Nix, who's been around since before Dobbins' arrival. There's an edge present on this offense that perhaps wasn't there last year.
“Just an edge. We’re going to be a top offense. We’re going to do the right things at practice. We’re going to play over again if we haven’t done it right," Nix said on Wednesday when asked what Dobbins brings to the table. "He just has those guys playing hard for him, and he’s running the ball really well."
Dobbins is averaging north of five yards per carry, and he's already rushed for 634 yards and four touchdowns. He's on pace to obliterate his previous career-high rushing marks.
More Than a Ball-Carrier
Beyond what Dobbins does when the ball is in his hands, his leadership and mentoring of the younger players in the Broncos' running back room have been indispensable, including rookie second-rounder RJ Harvey. These are the intangible traits the Broncos didn't realize they were getting when they signed him to a
He’s doing a good job. He’s out there helping RJ with different things. He’s being a great leader, and he’s just putting his head down and he goes to work," Nix said of Dobbins.
The other aspects of Dobbins' game, including his pass protection and pass-catching acumen, come as a welcome on-field bonus to Nix, who's only been sacked eight times this season.
"He plays really hard. I know I mentioned after the [Cowboys] game, but he protects well. He protects for the pocket, he runs routes, and catches the football out of the backfield," Nix said of Dobbins. "He runs the ball hard when he gets his chance. We always knew he was a complete back, but he’s really showing that off right now.”
Dobbins is putting together an All-Pro-caliber campaign. It would help Dobbins' outlook for end-of-season accolades if Payton would scheme him up a few touchdowns inside the 5-yard line, but Dobbins was probably happy to see Harvey score three times last week vs. the Dallas Cowboys, which earned him NFL
Dobbins Wants to Retire a Bronco
Dobbins is at the midway point of his one-year deal, and he already knows that he wants to return to Denver. Heck, the 26-year-old wants to finish his NFL career with the Broncos.
Although Dobbins wants an extension for those reasons, he's not allowing himself to dwell on it right now. If he can stay healthy throughout the season, the Broncos could start thinking seriously about an extension in December sometime.
"As far as [an] extension, and stuff like that, that doesn't cross my mind. But me just wanting to be here in Denver? Yes. I hope to end my career here and be here for the rest of my time in the NFL,"
Dobbins' next matchup is a doozy vs. the Houston Texans' fifth-ranked rushing defense. However, if he can eclipse the century mark again, he'll become the first Bronco since Melvin Gordon in 2021 to post three 100-yard games in a season.
