Browns’ Deshaun Watson could miss all of 2025 season after re-injuring achilles
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent surgery after tearing his Achilles tendon for the second time in three months and could miss the entire 2025 season.
The team said Watson, who has played in just 19 games in three seasons for Cleveland due to an NFL suspension and injuries, felt discomfort in his ankle after “rolling” it during his time in Miami. He only revealed the injury on Sunday during a player exit meeting.
Tests showed he tore the tendon again, requiring further surgery.
Watson is expected to miss “significant time” in 2025, the Browns said in a statement Friday. The injury further clouds his future with the Browns, who still owe him $92 million after signing him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.
Earlier this week, general manager Andrew Berry said Watson had suffered a setback and the team was gathering more information.
Watson, 29, was originally injured on October 20 in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Watson underwent surgery five days later and had been away from the team recovering from his injury when he was injured again.
The Browns have insurance that protects Watson’s contract. If he is out this season, they can make some money back and get a salary cap exemption. The sides reworked Watson’s contract in December, adding empty years at the end to give the Browns more financial flexibility.
Even before Watson’s second surgery, his tenure in Cleveland was uncertain at best. The Browns’ massive investment in him — the historic contract and trading three first-round picks to Houston — has yielded nothing.
Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. He recovered in time to start last season but played poorly in his seven starts. He didn’t throw for 200 yards and was one of the lowest-ranked passers in the league before tearing his Achilles tendon in a game-tying game against the Bengals.
Jameis Winston and second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson played in several games before the Browns started Bailey Zappe in last week’s season finale in Baltimore. Zappe was the 40th quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999.
Cleveland finished 3-14 and will be the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. They will likely take a quarterback with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward among the top candidates. The Browns are also expected to acquire a veteran QB either through free agency or a trade.
“I think the reality is that the room will look different next year,” Berry said at his closing press conference on Monday.