Deshaun Watson Fantasy Stats

The Cleveland Browns opened up quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 21-day practice window this week, but league sources are telling CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones that it's a long shot that he will suit up this year. And unless the Browns want to take on a dead salary cap hit of more than $80 million in 2026, he'll likely be back on the roster next year. Watson tore his right Achilles on Oct. 20 of last year and had surgery within a week. During his recovery, he re-ruptured his Achilles and underwent a second surgery on Jan. 9. Cleveland signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in March 2022, but he has started only 19 of a possible 63 (and counting) regular-season games for the Browns. Trading Watson is not an option, but they could release him after this year and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, although that would result in a dead cap hit of almost $81 million. If he's back in 2026, Watson will be competing for the starting gig with at least Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

The Cleveland Browns are opening the 21-day practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), and he will be limited in practice on Wednesday. Watson suffered an Achilles tear in Week 7 of last season and had a setback in the offseason while recovering. The blockbuster trade that sent Watson from Houston to Cleveland has backfired completely, with Watson playing just 19 games in three seasons and averaging career lows in nearly every statistical category. While there has been no word on whether Watson will play this season, the Browns are activating him just before the deadline for PUP closes, which would prevent him from playing in 2025. Rookie Shedeur Sanders will likely remain the starter for the remainder of the season, but Watson's return to play will be a headline to watch.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that he didn't have an update on quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), and the team has yet to open his 21-day practice window as he continues to rehab while on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The 30-year-old is making progress from a torn right Achilles that he re-ruptured in January, but he's still not ready to practice with the rest of the team and is a long shot to take any snaps under center for the Browns this year. Watson will be in the final season of a five-year, $230 million guaranteed deal in 2026, but the expectation is that he won't play for the Browns again. Cleveland started the year with veteran Joe Flacco under center before trading him to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Rookie Dillon Gabriel got his chance as the starting QB before suffering a concussion, opening the door for Shedeur Sanders to take the gig the last two weeks. If he plays well enough, Sanders could finish the year as the Browns' QB.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) made his first road trip of the regular season and will be on the sideline for Sunday's Week 12 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Watson has reportedly offered plenty of help to Dillon Gabriel (concussion) and Shedeur Sanders this season, and he worked closely with Sanders to help him understand the game plan before his first NFL start on Sunday. However, Sanders' start isn't the only reason why Watson made the trip. According to Cabot, it's also the first time the veteran quarterback was healthy enough to travel this season. In fact, he could be nearing a return to game action. Watson remains on the PUP list and might have his 21-day practice window activated soon, according to Cabot. The 30-year-old has been sidelined for over a year, but it appears his return could be coming in the near future.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski provided no additional information on Monday regarding a potential timeline for the team to open the practice window of quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles). Watson ruptured his Achilles in Week 7 of last year and suffered an additional tear during the offseason, but all reports suggest that his recovery has been going well. Still, the Browns have not offered any clarity as to when, or if, he will return to the team. The 2-8 Browns have gotten starts from Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel (concussion) in 2025. With Gabriel currently in concussion protocol, it's possible that rookie Shedeur Sanders could make his first career start against the Raiders in Week 12.

The Cleveland Browns will not open the 21-day practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) this week, despite him showing great progress in his recovery, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Watson continues to recover from the injury suffered in Week 7 of last season, in addition to a re-rupturing of his Achilles, but isn't quite ready to practice yet. It remains uncertain if he will return this season or play for Cleveland at all in the future. In the meantime, rookie Dillon Gabriel will continue to start at quarterback for Cleveland.

When asked on Monday if Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) would have his 21-day practice window opened this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters, "I'm not sure if that's what we're doing." Recent reports have indicated that Watson's recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 7 of 2024 has been going well, even after an additional surgery in January. Rookie Dillon Gabriel has started the last five games for the Browns, going 1-4 in that stretch, while throwing six touchdown passes to two interceptions. Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders was the team's QB2 on Sunday after missing time with back tightness. Regardless of who is under center in Cleveland, the team's pass catchers face a muddled competition for below-average targets and will likely not be a part of many fantasy playoff rosters.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 21-day practice window will not be opened this week, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. "No update, but doing a good job," Stefanski said. Reports have suggested that Watson has been doing really well in his rehab from a torn right Achilles that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024. The 30-year-old veteran signal-caller then had additional surgery on his Achilles in January. Although he has been doing well with his rehab, Watson isn't close to returning to practice and still is not expected to be a factor at QB for the Browns in 2025. The Browns already traded away QBs Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, which has left them with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders at the position in what is turning into another lost season. It won't be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another snap for the Browns in his career.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) has been sidelined since Week 7 of last season, but is reportedly doing "great" in his rehab, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski didn't have an update on whether Watson was any closer to having his practice window opened, but he's made progress in his recovery. Watson's road to recovery was delayed when he re-tore his Achilles tendon later on and still doesn't seem that close to playing anytime soon. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Watson is still "a good month away" from being cleared to participate in any football activities. For the time being, rookie Dillion Gabriel will continue starting for Cleveland, with rookie Shedeur Sanders as his backup.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to say if he foresees quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) playing this year, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Stefanski added that Watson is working hard in his rehab and has been in the meeting rooms with the rest of the team. Watson suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7 of last year and then re-tore his Achilles later on. The 30-year-old is around eight months removed from his surgery and isn't close to retaking the field. He's currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will not return to the practice field ahead of the team's Week 6 divisional tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers. For now, Cleveland is prepared to move forward with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, with rookie Shedeur Sanders potentially moving into the QB2 role after the team traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals this week.