Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson “had a setback” during his recovery from his Achilles injury which has his availability for next season in question, general manager Andrew Berry said Monday.
Berry said it’s “too early to tell” if Watson can play in 2025 after Watson told doctors during the quarterback’s end of the season physical that “something didn’t feel right” in his repaired ankle. Berry said the team is still gathering details on Watson’s injury.
Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture in the team’s Week 7 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The injury occurred on a non-contact play with 1:26 left in the second quarter. Watson took a snap on what appeared to be a quarterback draw. After receiving the ball, he pushed forward before falling to the ground and grabbing his leg. He eventually was carted off the field with a towel over his head.
Watson, 29, just finished his third season with Cleveland after signing a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal in March 2022. He has started 19 games for the Browns since that blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans.
Cleveland gave up three first-round picks and still carries more than $170 million in cap commitments to Watson for future seasons. In 2023, Cleveland lost Watson to a shoulder injury in a Week 10 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2022, he was suspended 11 games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after being accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct.
Watson threw for 1,148 yards five touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
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