Insider Drops Significant Update on Deshaun Watson’s Comeback

Deshaun Watson’s return this season remains uncertain but the Cleveland Browns are keeping the door open and could be faced with a decision later this fall if he’s healthy enough to contribute.

In January, the Browns announced that Watson will miss significant time next season after re-injuring his Achilles during rehab. He initially suffered the injury during Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Watson will begin the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which requires him to miss at least the first four games. From there, Cleveland will have a five-week window to determine whether to open his practice window if he’s cleared medically. Once that window begins, the team has 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster.

According to cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, Watson could be ready to resume practice sometime in October.

“One league source said Watson, who was suspended 11 games by the NFL in 2022 after accusations by more than two dozen therapists of sexual misconduct, could be ready to practice sometime in October, but it remains to be seen if the Browns would open the window that soon, roughly nine months post-op,” Cabot said.