Deshaun Watson is determined to return to the field this season but the outlook is grim for the Cleveland Browns‘ $230 million quarterback.
Watson is recovering from a twice-ruptured Achilles. He initially suffered the injury in October of last year and suffered a setback in January, requiring a second surgery.
Watson opened the season on the PUP list and has been working hard to get back on the field this season. The expectation was that he would be evaluated in the bye week and the team was going to make a decision whether or not to open up his practice window.
However, Browns beat reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic does not believe Watson will see the field this season, even if he is cleared for a return.
“It’s probably more than a couple of weeks. And even when they decide he can open his practice window, it’s still 21 days. And even if they decide he’s fully cleared and ready to go, putting him on the 53 doesn’t mean he has to play,” Jackson said on 92.3 The Fan. “I’m very strongly in the camp that he won’t play. I understand the window is open, the door is open, all of those things. We’re talking about availability windows not Super Bowl windows. It is far, far, far from a guarantee or even a probability that Deshaun Watson will play. It’s lingering but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
Browns Don’t View Deshaun Watson as Part of Future
The Browns have admitted the blockbuster 2022 trade and $230 million fully guaranteed contract for Watson was a “swing and miss.” And owner Jimmy Haslam continues to point at the move as a significant reason the team has not been able to turn into a contender.
“Kevin’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks,” Haslam told The Athletic, referring to the Watson trade. “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.”
The Achilles injury is not the first setback for Watson in Cleveland. And when available, he’s struggled to regain his Pro Bowl form from his Houston days, posting a 9-10 record as the starter while throwing for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Browns QB Position Remains Unstable
Cleveland had an interesting strategy at the quarterback position this offseason, signing Joe Flacco and trading for Kenny Pickett. The Browns then drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and added Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round.
Pickett and Flacco have both been traded away and the Browns are expected to rely on their rookies the rest of the way. Gabriel has started the last four games, going 1-3 in those contests but failing to spark the anemic Browns’ offense.
If the Browns decide to make a chance, Sanders would likely be next in line. The polarizing former Colorado star has yet to take reps with the first-team offense but has said he’s remaining ready if his number is called.
The Browns will face the New York Jets out of the bye week with an opportunity to turn things around.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Browns QB Deshaun Watson Gets Bad News on Return appeared first on Heavy Sports.