Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson Faces Season-Ending Achilles Setback

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has suffered a significant setback in his recovery from an Achilles injury, undergoing a second surgery on Thursday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday. The procedure could sideline Watson for the entirety of the 2025 season, casting doubt on his future with the team.

Watson initially tore his Achilles in Week 7 of the 2024 season during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. After undergoing surgery and beginning rehabilitation, the quarterback experienced complications, prompting the need for a second operation. Browns General Manager Andrew Berry confirmed the setback during his season-ending press conference, stating that the team is still gathering information about the extent of the injury and its impact on Watson’s recovery timeline.

“It is new information just learned in the past couple of hours. So, I don’t have everything yet,” Berry said. “I don’t want to rule out anything with a major injury. We are still collecting all the information. And obviously, our focus is making sure that he can get as healthy as possible.”

Watson, who joined the Browns in a high-profile trade in 2022, has faced a tumultuous tenure in Cleveland. After missing the majority of the 2023 season due to a shoulder injury, he returned in 2024 but struggled to find consistency, completing 137 of 216 passing attempts for 1,148 yards and five touchdowns over seven games. He also threw three interceptions and was sacked 33 times for a loss of 191 yards.

Despite the setback, Berry emphasized Watson’s commitment to the team and his determination to return to the field. “Deshaun is very focused on getting healthy, for all the obvious reasons,” Berry said. “That’s the first thing. That’s top of mind. Deshaun is invested in being here. At no point has he given an indication in terms of not wanting to be here or leaving the city, or anything along those lines.”

The Browns now face uncertainty at the quarterback position as they prepare for the 2025 season. Berry acknowledged that the team’s quarterback room will look different next year, but he downplayed the immediate impact of Watson’s setback on their offseason strategy. “The reality of it is, that (quarterback) room, it will look different next year,” Berry said. “It may obviously impact what the room looks like as we enter the season or camp, depending on the severity of the setback.”

Watson’s injury marks another chapter in a challenging career for the 28-year-old quarterback, who has faced both on-field struggles and off-field controversies since entering the NFL. As the Browns navigate this latest hurdle, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team addresses its quarterback situation in the coming months.