When Deshaun Watson could force Browns into awkward QB decision
A recent report noted that the Cleveland Browns have "been happy with how" quarterback Deshaun Watson has handled his injury rehab while serving as a mentor for rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
During the latest edition of the "Orange and Brown Talk Podcast," Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer addressed when Watson could be cleared to resume practicing after suffering a torn Achilles tendon last October and then retearing it during his recovery.
"If he had [the repair] done in January, optimistically, maybe he’s back in like nine months," Labbe said about Watson. "So that puts you in October, but you’re probably looking more like November or December."
Watson will miss at least the first four games of the upcoming season while on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. On Tuesday, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that "Deshaun’s doing awesome" amid his attempt to return to action.
Veteran Joe Flacco will serve as Cleveland's starter for its Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7 after the Browns somewhat surprisingly traded QB Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick.
Many Cleveland fans loudly cheered when Watson went down with the initial Achilles injury last October. Earlier this year, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledged that the club "took a big swing and miss" when it gave Watson a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract in March 2022.
Thus far, Watson has made just 19 regular-season starts for Cleveland. He was arguably the league's worst QB1 over the first half of the 2024 campaign before his latest injury setback.
Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot mentioned during the podcast that it wasn't that long ago when "it really did feel like [Watson] would never" appear for Cleveland again.
"That doesn’t feel like the vibe right now anymore," Cabot added.
The Browns may eventually have to either move Watson to the 53-man roster or release him. According to team reporter Ashley Bastock, there's no indication that the club plans to show Watson the door before the end of the 2025 season.
"He is here," Bastock added about Watson during the podcast. "He is engaged when we’ve seen him. These young quarterbacks, Dillon and Shedeur, have both brought him up when they’ve been asked about that quarterback room and how instrumental he’s been in film and teaching them things in the meeting rooms."
Watson will be an afterthought through at least October. What happens with his status beyond that remains to be seen.
