The Browns could have yet another competitor in the mix, Shedeur Sanders.
Right after Cleveland’s rookie quarterback made his third start of the season, the team announced that Deshaun Watson has been cleared to return to practice.
The 30-year-old veteran has not played at all this season due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained in Week 7 of the 2024 season, which he then aggravated during rehab.
“His focus, as well as mine, is definitely to get him back on the field and practicing, which he hasn’t done for over a year,” said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. “This step is promising for him.”
Yet, it remains uncertain whether the struggling 3-9 Browns will see Watson back on the field for this long-fought season, especially considering his injury record.
Before his injury, Watson started all seven games, rushing for 1,148 yards and scoring five touchdowns, along with another 148 rushing yards and one touchdown.
The three-time Pro Bowler went through two surgeries to repair the tendon—one on October 25, 2024, and another on January 9, 2024.
Watson made a return to the team in Las Vegas for the Week 12 game against the Raiders but must be activated within 21 days or he will remain on the reserve list for the rest of the season.
His potential return adds another layer of complexity to Cleveland’s quarterback situation, currently helmed by Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Sanders stepped up after Gabriel, who took over the starting position from Joe Flacco following a surprise trade to the Bengals, suffered a concussion in Week 11 against the Ravens.
In his two starts, Sanders has thrown for 358 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, which has earned him another start this Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans.
Since signing a major five-year, $230 million contract with the Browns prior to the 2022 season, Watson has played in just 19 games, largely due to a lengthy suspension stemming from sexual assault allegations during his tenure with the Houston Texans.
With his contract lasting until the end of the 2026 season, the Browns have yet to reveal their plans for Watson moving forward.
