Deshaun Watson’s Return Plan Sparks Stark Warning for Browns

Deshaun Watson continues to showcase his recovery from an Achilles injury, fueling speculation about a looming clash with the Cleveland Browns.

Watson has been working his way back since suffering the initial injury in October. He re-injured the Achilles in January, and the Browns announced he would miss “significant time” during the coming season.

To open the year, 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.

Players on reserve/PUP cannot practice or play during that stretch. Afterward, teams have a five-week window to allow the player to begin practicing. Once he returns, the team has 21 days to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him on PUP for the remainder of the season.

Watson shared his latest recovery update on Wednesday, with his personal quarterback coach, Quincy Avery, posting the clip and writing, “Funny thing about life is. If you work hard enough it will all work out.”

Deshaun Watson Showdown Looming for Browns

Watson’s social media posts make it clear he intends to return. But even if he’s healthy, the Browns are not expected to hand him the starting job. Cleveland appears ready to move on and is already dealing with a convoluted QB situation. Owner Jimmy Haslam went as far as to call the 2022 trade for Watson a “swing and miss” this summer. Still, the fully guaranteed $230 million contract leaves the Browns in a difficult position.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk expects some significant tension if Watson is cleared to play this season.

“There could be a showdown in Cleveland over whether a guy is truly healthy,” Florio said. “I’m convinced that at some point this season, Deshaun Watson is going to show up with a clean bill of health and say, ‘I’m ready to go.’ Then they’ll have three choices: put him on the roster, cut him and take a $130 million cap charge next year, or fight back and say, ‘You’re not healthy.’

“He can’t force his way onto the field. My point is, he can force his way onto the team and the 53-man roster. If he’s healthy and his doctors support that he’s healthy, they can’t stash him on the PUP list if he tells the world he’s not physically unable to perform. That’s the little nugget of drama that is lurking for the Browns at some point this season. It could get interesting.”

Deshaun Watson Worked Out for Browns Brass

Throughout his recovery, Watson has stayed engaged at the team’s facility, participating in meetings and supporting his teammates. The Browns have commended him for the intensity of his rehab work and the value he brings to the QB room.

“Deshaun’s doing awesome, he’s doing great,” Stefanski said Tuesday. “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.”

Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported that Watson recently went through a throwing workout, with general manager Andrew Berry, coach Kevin Stefanski and owner Jimmy Haslam looking on.

“What they saw was a quarterback who’s dropping back with agility and ease, and launching the ball downfield with good velocity,” Cabot said. “He looked good in the workout, and if they didn’t know any better, they never would’ve guessed that he had undergone surgery in January to repair his retorn Achilles.”

Cabot said Watson “could be ready to practice in late October or November.” That’s when the Browns may face a tough decision.