After tearing his Achilles back in October’24 and injuring it again in January ’25, Deshaun Watson, has returned to practice. When will he play a game? Stefanski has an update. 

Watson will not be playing the game against the Titans. That is an expected decision given that he has not played a game for a year. He also still has a few weeks to prove he’s physically ready to play. “He’ll be out there today, which is outstanding for Deshaun,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said when the QB returned to practice on Wednesday. 

He further added he has been “working so hard, rehabbing” and felt it was great for him to practice with his teammates. “So, excited for him. His focus, my focus is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn’t done in over a year. So, it’s a good next step for him,” he said. Keep in mind that he does talk about getting him back on the field just right now. 

In the press conference, when asked if he would be back on the field, the HC said, “Yeah, really not my focus. Not his focus, right this minute. His focus is putting a helmet on again for the first time, shoulder pads, throwing a football. That’s where the focus is.” Given how controversial the QB position is right now and Watson’s hiatus due to injury, it does feel like the right decision. 

Watson has recorded a passer rating of 80.7 with 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 19 games for the Browns. The Browns acquired him on a fully guaranteed 5‑year deal worth US $230 million. They often list it among the worst trades in NFL history.

The 2023 season ended with a shoulder surgery, and the 2024 season ended with an Achilles injury. That might also be one factor in clocking him in. For now, the Browns are going in with Shedeur Sanders as thier QB-1 with Dillon Gabriel in backup. How's things between Sanders and Watson?

The relationship between Sanders and Deshaun Watson

When Sanders was asked about Watson, he admitted that he was excited to train with him. He also talked about what impact the veteran would have now that both of them will be training together. “I feel like it’s great he’s going out there to practice. I know he’s been working hard to recover and doing everything he’s able to do for this day,” he said. 

Sanders, who has started only two games for the Browns this season, can gain valuable insights from Watson, who he says has been helpful behind the scenes. Though he does not speak about what happens there, saying, “Well, I’d say for sure, what we do in the meeting room, we keep to ourselves. Y’all able to see what we able to do in public and whatever, but whenever we're in the building, we kind of keep that between us.” Watson advising Sanders is good for the rookie. 

His performance with the Browns has not been up to the mark, but let’s not forget that while with the Texans, he had a passer rating of 104.5 with 14,539 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 36 interceptions in 54 games. Deshaun Watson comes with an experience of three straight Pro Bowls and leading the Texans to the playoffs twice.

So could this be his new role in the team before he returns back on the field? 

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Joyita Das