Deshaun Watson last started for the Cleveland Browns in October of 2024. Since then, it’s been almost a certainty that he wouldn’t play a big role during the 2025 season, as his ruptured Achilles heel re-ruptured in January of 2025, and the team had already announced that he would miss significant time in the upcoming season.
The #Browns are not opening Deshaun Watson’s 21-day practice window this week, but he continues to make excellent progress in his rehab from the re-ruptured Achilles: https://t.co/A0iA2NCHSW
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 11, 2025
During the offseason and preseason, Watson was hardly mentioned as a possible long-term starter for the Browns, and many seemed to assume that his time as the team’s QB1 was at an end. Cleveland’s moves, trading for Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, and then drafting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, seemed to indicate the coaching staff and the front office were already looking at the future.
Now with Pickett and Flacco gone, with Gabriel struggling, and with the coaching staff reluctant to give the reins of the offense to Sanders, fans are starting to wonder, when can Watson return?
What Happened to Deshaun Watson?
He ruptured his Achilles heel in Week 7 of the 2024 season. Initially, it was thought his recovery would take some seven months, but he re-ruptured his Achilles in January of 2025, necessitating another surgery. Since then, it was expected he would miss most of this year’s season, potentially its entirety.
Will Deshaun Watson Play This Week?
Reports are that his progress in recovering from the injury is excellent, but the Cleveland Browns have elected not to activate the 21-practice window this week. So he isn’t expected to play any time soon.
Deshaun Watson Fantasy Outlook
If, for any reason, you have Deshaun Watson on your fantasy roster, by now you have learned to live with the fact that he isn’t contributing to your team. Unfortunately, you might have to live with that certainty because, for the time being, he isn’t suiting up to play, and he holds no trade value.
Fantasy Replacements For Deshaun Watson This Week
Most other healthy quarterbacks in the NFL will make you more points than Deshaun Watson over the next month.
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