The Deshaun Watson updates have gone quiet heading into Week 13 as Shedeur Sanders gears up for his second start with the Cleveland Browns.
Questions about Watson’s potential return, after more than a year recovering from two Achilles ruptures, had become a weekly storyline since the Browns’ bye. But with Shedeur-mania taking over Cleveland, the buzz around Watson’s status has suddenly faded.
For the Browns, that’s one less variable in a quarterback room that desperately needs stability. Adding Watson back into the mix isn’t a complication they seem eager to invite while Sanders settles into the job.
Sanders entered the lineup after Dillon Gabriel exited during a Week 11 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion. He started Week 12, and the rookie seized his opportunity, leading Cleveland to a 24–10 win, just their third victory of the season. He passed for 209 yards, a touchdown, and one interception.
Gabriel returned from concussion protocol this week, but the Browns opted to ride the hot hand and keep Sanders in the starting role.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Helping Out Shedeur Sanders
Watson has remained an active part of the quarterback room despite being sidelined during his recovery. Notably, he made the trip to Las Vegas last weekend to be on the sidelines and support Sanders during his first start. The two were seen conversing on the sideline, going over plays.
Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave previously commended Watson for his mentorship with the team’s young quarterbacks.
“I try to take myself out of the equation – I don’t need to be there hovering all over them … We miss him on the road,” Musgrave said in October. “It’s great to have his presence on the sideline for our young group.”
Browns May Wait Until Offseason to Bring Deshaun Watson Back
Watson had hoped to make it back this season and has continued sharing progress updates on social media. But the odds of him returning to practice — let alone appearing in a game — are growing increasingly slim. After Sunday’s matchup with the 49ers, only five games remain on the schedule, leaving little runway for a meaningful comeback. And even if Watson returned, it’s unlikely he’d be in line to start games, with the Browns wanting to evaluate Sanders.
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com believes the Browns will wait until the offseason to ease Watson back into action.
“My feeling right now, in a perfect world, they’ll wait until the offseason to put him on the practice field. They have to be careful that this is a revision of an Achilles and there isn’t a great reason to throw him into a football game on just three weeks of practice when he’s been out for so incredibly long. I think they’d like to bring him back slowly in OTAs, minicamp and not rush him into anything this year,” Cabot said during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan. “There might be a world where they decide, let’s open the window, put him on the practice field and see what he can do. He’d absolutely love that. He feels ready to go. But I think they’ll be very, very careful with him.”
Watson is under contract through the 2026 season, and all indications are that he’ll remain on the roster.
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