Why is Deshaun Watson not playing for the Browns right now

Deshaun Watson is not playing because he is recovering from a serious right Achilles tendon injury. He suffered an initial Achilles tear in the 2024 season and then experienced a second rupture of the same tendon. This required surgery and long term rehabilitation, which has kept him on injured reserve.

Is Deshaun Watson injured

Yes. Watson is still recovering from the Achilles re rupture. Even though he has recently been seen throwing at the facility and traveling with the team, he has not been cleared for full practice or game action. He remains listed as Out on the official injury report.

Is Deshaun Watson still on the Cleveland Browns roster

Yes. Watson remains under contract with the Browns. His fully guaranteed contract runs through 2026, which means the team is financially committed to him unless they choose to absorb a very large penalty. He is still considered part of the team’s long term plan, at least officially.

What injury did Deshaun Watson suffer

Watson suffered two separate ruptures of his right Achilles tendon. This is one of the most difficult injuries for a quarterback to overcome because it affects mobility, stability, and footwork.

What did Deshaun Watson do off the field that caused controversy

Before joining the Browns, Watson faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct involving massage therapists. Although he denied wrongdoing, the accusations affected his public reputation and contributed to intense media scrutiny. The situation influenced how fans reacted to Cleveland’s decision to trade for him.

What did Deshaun Watson do on the field for the Browns

On the field, Watson has struggled with consistency and reliability due to repeated injuries. He has played only a limited number of games since joining the Browns. His performance has fallen short of expectations compared with the enormous contract and trade price the Browns paid to acquire him.

When is Deshaun Watson expected to return to play

There is no confirmed return date. Reports suggest the Browns may open his practice window around Week twelve of the 2025 season. If that happens and rehabilitation goes well, a possible return could be in Week sixteen. However, many analysts believe he may not play again this season at all and could return in 2026 instead.

Will the Browns start Deshaun Watson again when he is healthy

That remains uncertain. While Watson is under contract, the Browns have tested several other quarterbacks, including rookie Shedeur Sanders. If younger players perform well, the team may reconsider its long term quarterback strategy.

Who is playing quarterback for the Browns while Watson is out

The Browns have turned to various backup quarterbacks. Most recently, rookie Shedeur Sanders made his first NFL start. The team is actively evaluating the position to determine the best short term and long term solution.

Deshaun Watson Injury and Why He Is Not Playing Browns Quarterback

A Deep Look at His Injury, Return Timeline, Contract Status, Performance, and the Current Cleveland Browns Quarterback Landscape

Deshaun Watson remains one of the most discussed and controversial figures in professional football. His situation with the Cleveland Browns continues to evolve as new updates emerge about his health, his role with the team, his future as a starting quarterback, and the Browns overall plans at the position. The following article provides a comprehensive and up to date explanation of why he is not playing, whether he is still on the team, what exactly happened to him, when he might return, and how the Browns are managing the quarterback position during his absence.

Why Deshaun Watson Is Not Playing for the Cleveland Browns

The primary reason Deshaun Watson is not currently playing is his severe and repeated Achilles tendon injury. Watson first tore his right Achilles in the middle of the 2024 season. This was a devastating setback for both Watson and the team, because the injury occurred only a short time after he had already missed games due to other physical problems.

Unfortunately, the situation became even more complicated when Watson suffered a second rupture to the same Achilles tendon after attempting to return. Achilles injuries are notoriously difficult to recover from because they directly affect a player’s ability to plant, push off, and move explosively. This is especially problematic for a quarterback like Watson who relies heavily on mobility, footwork, and improvisation.

Following the second rupture, doctors recommended a longer and more cautious rehabilitation period. The Browns placed Watson on the injured reserve list, effectively removing him from active football participation for an extended period. Since then, Watson has been slowly working his way back through medical clearance stages, limited throwing sessions, conditioning work, and restricted football activities inside the team facility.

Although Watson has appeared on the sideline recently, traveled with the team, and participated in light throwing, none of these actions indicate medical clearance for full contact football. The Browns have not yet opened his official practice window, which is necessary before he can return to the field. This is the main reason he remains sidelined despite rumors of possible late season participation.

Is Deshaun Watson Hurt Right Now

Yes. Deshaun Watson is still recovering from his re injured Achilles tendon. While he has made visible progress compared with early 2025, he is not yet healed to the degree required for game participation.

Medical experts describe the re rupture of an Achilles tendon as a highly significant injury that often requires more than one year for complete recovery for professional athletes. Even when the tendon heals, there is a long period of gradual rebuilding of strength, mobility, and confidence. Quarterbacks must rely on strong lower body mechanics for accurate throwing, stable footwork, and pocket movement. Any weakness can impact passing power, accuracy, and overall performance.

His current status is still officially listed as Out. He remains on injured reserve and has not been medically cleared for full practice.

Is Deshaun Watson Still on the Cleveland Browns

Yes. Despite injuries, performance questions, and public speculation, Watson is still a member of the Cleveland Browns roster. He is under a fully guaranteed contract that runs through the end of the 2026 season. That contract is one of the most expensive in football history, making his presence on the team unavoidable from a salary perspective.

The Browns have continued to speak publicly about him as part of the team’s long term plan. However, many analysts believe the team may eventually move in a new direction, especially if Watson struggles to regain form after injury or if younger quarterbacks emerge as more reliable options.

Still, the financial commitment to Watson is huge, and the Browns have limited options until the contract runs out or the team chooses to absorb a major financial penalty for releasing him early. Therefore, Watson remains officially on the Browns and is expected to return in some capacity when healthy.

What Did Deshaun Watson Do

A Look at On Field and Off Field History

Football performance and injuries

Watson entered the league with enormous potential and quickly became known for his strong arm, athletic ability, and clutch performances. However, his time with the Browns has been far less successful. Repeated injuries, including shoulder issues and the long Achilles recovery, have kept him from playing consistently. When he has been healthy enough to start, his performances have been uneven and far below the expectations associated with his record breaking contract.

The Browns invested heavily in Watson, giving up multiple first round draft picks and signing him to a fully guaranteed contract that reshaped league negotiations. Many football writers now view the trade as a major disappointment for Cleveland.

Off field controversies

Before joining the Browns, Watson faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Although he has maintained his innocence, the accusations damaged his reputation, created intense media scrutiny, and influenced public opinion. These issues continue to be mentioned whenever his NFL career is discussed, further complicating the Browns commitment to him and affecting how fans view the team’s quarterback situation.

When Will Deshaun Watson Return

Current Expectations and Realistic Timelines

There is still no exact return date for Watson. However, based on medical updates and team statements, there are several possibilities.

Possible return in 2025 – Some reports have suggested that Watson’s practice window might open in Week twelve. If that were to happen, and if he responds well to team practice sessions, he could potentially appear in a game around Week sixteen.

Possibility of sitting out the rest of the season – Many analysts believe the Browns may ultimately decide it is not worth the risk to activate Watson late in the year. If the team is not in playoff contention or believes Watson is not physically ready, they may choose to simply let him continue rehabilitating until the 2026 season.

Long term recovery outlook – The Browns have not provided an official target date for Watson’s full return. Achilles tendon injuries are unpredictable, and the team appears committed to caution rather than rushing him back.

The Current Cleveland Browns Quarterback Situation

With Watson unavailable, the Browns have been relying on other quarterbacks to guide the offense. The team has experimented with several options, including veteran backups and young developing players. One of the most notable recent developments is the appearance of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who made his first NFL start during the 2025 season.

The Browns coaching staff has been evaluating all available quarterbacks to determine the future of the position. The presence of multiple promising backups has created debate among analysts about whether Watson should remain the long term starter when he eventually returns. Some believe a young quarterback might be a better option moving forward, especially if the team wishes to rebuild its offense and reduce financial strain.

The Bigger Picture

Deshaun Watson’s ongoing injury issues, his contract structure, his limited on field success, and the team’s shifting quarterback environment have created a complex situation. The Browns must balance financial obligations, team performance, fan expectations, and Watson’s recovery timeline.

If Watson returns healthy and performs well, the team could justify its investment. If he struggles, the Browns may begin a complete strategic reset at quarterback. For now, the franchise continues to monitor his recovery while preparing for multiple potential scenarios.