Browns QB Deshaun Watson Makes Feelings Clear on Return
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to document his recovery from an Achilles injury, sharing a workout clip on social media showing him back on the field for drills.
The video, filmed in mid-August but posted this week, appears to be the first time Watson performed on-field drills since undergoing two surgeries. Working with his personal quarterback coach, Quincy Avery, at the team’s facility, Watson can be heard urging himself on: “Come on four, come on four, be perfect.”
The session was limited, but Watson looked sharp. Given the time that has passed since the clip was recorded, he has likely made additional progress in his rehab.
“See that man,” Watson said in the video. “Putting in that work. Every day.”
The updates on Watson have been scarce. Watson has been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. While this does not rule him out for the season, it does guarantee he’ll miss at least the first four games. However, he’s remained around the team’s facility and has been praised for his presence.
“Deshaun’s doing awesome, he’s doing great,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said in August. “I’m excited for him. I get to watch him work out as well. I get to be in the meeting room with him every single day. So, he’s doing great.”
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Determined to Return
Watson landed in Cleveland via a 2022 blockbuster trade, and it has not gone smoothly. The former Pro Bowler has gone 9-10 as the starter with the Browns, missing time due to a lengthy suspension and season-ending injuries. He’s passed for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during his Browns tenure.
Owner Jimmy Haslam went as far as to call the 2022 trade for Watson a “swing and miss” this summer.
“We took a big swing-and-miss with Deshaun,” Haslam said. “We thought we had the quarterback; we didn’t. And we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him, so we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole.
“… [The trade] was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee [Haslam] and I, so hold us accountable.”
Shortly after Haslam’s comments, Watson seemingly responded on social media.
“Everyone is doubting me. Everyone don’t believe in me,” Watson said in a video. “Everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was. But I know, and I believe the work that I put in, that I believe in myself… I know, I’m gonna be way better than before.”
Browns Face Critical Decision When Deshaun Watson is Healthy
If Watson is cleared to return this season, the Browns could face a tough call. The team already carries three quarterbacks on the active roster — Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel — with Bailey Zappe on the practice squad.
Watson is still tied to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, but Cleveland’s best move may be keeping him on the sideline. The lingering question is whether Watson would accept that role.
“At some point, he’ll be healthy. At some point, he’ll be cleared. What happens when he shows up with a piece of paper in hand that tells the world he’s ready to play?” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said in August. “The Browns may prefer to stash him on the physically unable to perform list, for all of 2025. They owe him the money whether he’s on the roster or not. They qualify for maximum insurance coverage (and eventually cap relief) if he can’t play.”
The Browns continue to navigate Watson’s situation, which remains as complicated as it is costly.
Steelers Face Packers Without Top Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in Week 2 Showdown
The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't have the best defensive game in Week 1 against the New York Jets, and are looking to bounce back in Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks. But looking down the road, the defense just got some news that, while unfortunate, will make their lives a little easier.
In Week 8, the Steelers will host the Green Bay Packers for what could be the final showing for Aaron Rodgers and his former team. That matchup is going to be electric before the game even starts, but for the Packers, they could be without their biggest receiving option when it happens.
In Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed went down with a broken collarbone and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
In Week 1, the Steelers gave up 218 passing yards to Justin Fields, including 95 yards and a touchdown to the Jets' top wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
In Week 2, Joey Porter Jr. is in trouble of missing the game with a hamstring injury, leaving Pittsburgh with Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay as their starters, and Brandin Echols replacing Porter Jr. James Pierre would be the team's only other cornerback on the active roster.
For Green Bay, without Reed, they'd bring an arsenal of Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and Romeo Doubs to Pittsburgh to take on their future Hall of Famer former quarterback. It'd be a matchup of Jordan Love versus Rodgers, which means everyone will have their eyes on the passing game - and the wide receivers will play a significant role.
Pittsburgh's group of DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth led the way in Rodgers' four-touchdown debut for the Steelers. No one in Pittsburgh wants that to slow down. And when the team welcomes Green Bay to Acrisure Stadium, they'll be looking to prove they're the better of the offenses.
Now, they'll be proving it against a Packers team without their top weapon.
