Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent surgical procedure Thursday after tearing his proper Achilles tendon once more, the staff introduced.
Watson’s “restoration time and return to play standing is unsure, and he’ll doubtless miss important time through the 2025 season,” the Browns stated in an announcement. Sources inform ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Watson’s restoration is anticipated to take at the least seven months.
Throughout his season-ending exit interview earlier this week, Watson complained of discomfort after rolling his ankle whereas in Miami. A subsequent MRI revealed a “re-rupture to his Achilles tendon,” the staff stated. Watson met Thursday with Dr. Robert Anderson earlier than present process the surgical procedure.
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Watson, 29, initially tore his Achilles Oct. 20, marking the second straight yr his season ended due to harm. He additionally missed the ultimate eight video games of the 2023 season after present process surgical procedure to his throwing shoulder.
Browns basic supervisor Andrew Berry stated earlier this week throughout his end-of-season information convention that Watson’s setback wouldn’t considerably affect the staff’s offseason plans on the quarterback place. The one different quarterback beneath contract for the 2025 season is Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round choose who struggled in his two begins this season. Jameis Winston, who began seven video games after Watson’s harm earlier than being benched, is an unrestricted free agent. Bailey Zappe, who began the season finale, is a restricted free agent.
The Browns maintain the No. 2 choose within the 2025 NFL draft, which might be used on one of many high quarterback prospects.
“I believe the truth of it’s that room, it would look totally different subsequent yr,” Berry stated Monday.
Watson has two years remaining on the five-year, totally assured $230 million deal he signed earlier than the 2022 season. The Browns owe Watson $46 million in every of the subsequent two seasons and he has cap hits of $72.9 million in 2025 and 2026, at present the second highest within the NFL. Watson has performed in simply 19 video games for the reason that Browns traded three first-round picks for him in March 2022. He posted the bottom Complete QBR within the NFL earlier than his season-ending harm.
The Browns and Watson in late December agreed to transform his contract, including void years that enable the Browns to push out his lifeless wage cap into 2030, league sources instructed ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
