Deshaun Watson has returned to practice with the Cleveland Browns, almost a year later. After their loss to the Chicago Bears, head coach Kevin Stefanski has clarified Watson’s status and role.

Practicing on the Field

If Deshaun is not utilized as an active player within 21 days, he will remain on the RI reserve and be deemed unable to perform. “Yeah, I would say not my focus,” he said. “For right now, I’m very pleased with the progress that Deshaun’s making on the field, in the classroom. He’s doing a really good job.”

The Browns have Shedeur Sanders, their opening quarterback, and Dillion Gabriel, leaving Watson to focus on recovering from his twice-injured Achilles.

“Even though he probably won’t play unless Sanders and Gabriel get injured, there’s some thought to activating him so that he can continue to practice and be out on the field with his teammates,” journalist and Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot said recently. 

Watson, a veteran compared to Sanders and Gabriel, has been a morale boost during practices.

“In addition to getting re-acclimated to the game, he’s been a huge help in practice to the young QBs, especially Sanders now that he’s starting,” Cabot said. 

So, will Watson remain on the roster next year?

Watson signed a five-year, $233 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, but played only 19 games in four years. After the quarterback shuffle on the team this year, Watson is unlikely to start again. Especially, after Jimmy Haslam called Watson’s trade a “swing and miss.” This leaves Watson as a potential mentor for the rookie quarterbacks, a role he’s donned already. 

“Each and every day he’s doing more, and it’s just great to have him out there,” Bill Musgrave, Browns quarterbacks coach, said. “Like I’ve talked about, it’s been great to have him on the sideline for our young QBs.” Musgrave praised Watson’s work ethic, saying, “Deshaun’s doing more out there on the practice field, more than he did last week, and we’re going to have some good drills with him today and get him some plays.”

Stefanksi, who is under fire for the 3-11 season, still claims the team will learn from past failures and perform better. “We’ll learn from those, we’ll grow from those, and we’ll be better from those,” he said.

As the team preps for their Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, what do you think will be the outcome?

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das