The Cleveland Browns responded to a new report on quarterback Deshaun Watson and his potential return to the field this season.
Watson is recovering from an Achilles rupture. He initially suffered the injury in October but had a setback in January that required a second surgery.
Watson started the year on the physically unable to perform list and has already waited out the required four games. His return now depends on his health and when he’s cleared to start practicing. Once he’s cleared, the Browns will have a three-week window to add him to the active roster.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that Watson is “a good month away” from being cleared for football activity. Schefter added that there has been no conversation within the Browns organization regarding Watson’s potential return to the field.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked if the team is any closer to opening Watson’s practice window on Wednesday.
“Yeah, no real update there, other than he’s doing a great job rehabbing, doing a good job at meetings,” Stefanski said.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Eager to ‘Handle Business’
Watson has spent more than a year recovering but has recently been conducting on-field work, which he documented in his latest TikTok post.
“I got NO TIME for the bs, I gotta get back and handle business!” Watson wrote.
Watson is determined not only to return to the field but also to be better than he was previously. With the Browns, that’s not a particularly high bar. Over three seasons he’s started 19 games, going 9-10 as the starter. He’s passed for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
“Everyone is doubting me — everyone don’t believe in me,” Watson said in an April social media post. “Everyone don’t think I can get back to where I was. But I know, and I believe the work that I put in, that I believe in myself… I know, I’m gonna be way better than before.”
Browns Offense Needs Spark After 1-5 Start
Even if Watson were to return — which seems highly unlikely at this point — there’s no certainty that the Browns’ $230 million quarterback would see the field. Cleveland opened the year with 40-year-old Joe Flacco at quarterback, but benched him after Week 4 and sent him to the Cincinnati Bengals via trade.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel has started the last two games for the Browns but it hasn’t provided the spark the team was hoping for. Cleveland is 0-2 in those matchups and have still struggled to score touchdowns and move the ball with consistency.
However, Gabriel is far from the only issue with the unit, which is averaging less than 14 points per game.
“For us the focus is on being better as an offense, and that goes into a bunch of different areas,” Stefanski said. “I know I can be better for this football team. I know I can certainly be better for this offense. But our focus is on making sure that we all do our part in getting this thing going.”
The Browns have a chance to get on track this week as they host the 1-5 Miami Dolphins. Cleveland is a 2.5-point favorite for the matchup, per ESPN BET.
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