Deshaun Watson returned to the practice field on Wednesday for the first time this season when the Cleveland Browns opened the 21-day practice window for their former starting quarterback.
While sources say it's considered unlikely that Watson would start a game for the Browns this season, his return to the field for Cleveland in 2026 as a potential starter is more likely than not. It would be a surprise at this point if Watson, who is due $46 million guaranteed next season, was not on the Cleveland roster to begin training camp in 2026.
Watson, 30, currently is recovering from his second Achilles tear -- the latest significant injury in a stint in Cleveland that has not gone how either party anticipated.
Watson first tore his Achilles in Week 7 of the 2024 season. He then re-ruptured the tendon and underwent surgery on Jan. 9. Watson's previous 2023 season ended after six games when he underwent surgery to repair a fractured throwing shoulder.
The Browns signaled they were moving in a different direction at QB when they drafted Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in April, selections that came a month after Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam conceded the franchise "took a big swing and miss with Deshaun."
As Cleveland seeks answers at the QB position -- Sanders is set to make his third start of the season on Sunday against the Titans -- it's hard to imagine the Browns would put Watson on the field after nine or so practices in December considering he did not participate in training camp and has not played since October 2024.
Could Watson be activated to the 53-man active roster off the PUP list in the role of backup in the event of an injury to a QB already on the roster? It's possible. But Watson starting is unlikely.
Instead, Watson is expected to use his practice time to get back into football shape and reacclimate himself.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski largely avoided the topic of when Watson could play again when he talked with reporters this past week, but he has praised Watson's efforts to return.
"He has been working so hard, rehabbing, so finally to get out there on the practice field with his teammates to go through individual, I think this is really great for him," Stefanski said on Wednesday when Watson was designated to return. "His focus, my focus is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn't done in over a year."
Sources say Watson has not been a distraction in the building while rehabbing this year.
Watson signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract with the the Browns in 2022 when he was traded to Cleveland from the Houston Texans after he sat out the 2021 season amid a trade request.
Watson then served an 11-game suspension at the beginning of the 2022 season for violating the personal-conduct policy following more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions.
Watson's play since arriving in Cleveland has not matched his performance in Houston where he made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2020. Watson has appeared in just 19 games for the Browns with a 9-10 record, throwing 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
While Cleveland could move on from him, a release this offseason would carry a massive salary-cap hit. They also might still need an experienced bridge starter for 2026 if the Browns, holders of two first-round picks, decide to draft a quarterback early and determine Sanders and Gabriel aren't in their future plans.
Of course, a trade always is possible for the right price. The league has seen crazier things.
But Watson starting in 2026 for Cleveland while a young quarterback gets ready could be in play.
