It is entirely possible that, after two surgeries to repair an injured Achilles tendon and two draft picks used in an effort to replace him, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson still manages to find his way back on the field here in 2025. Cleveland guaranteed all of the $230 million in Watson’s contract, after all, and pushed back enough of his salary in salary-cap gymnastics that there really isn’t much to lose by letting Watson play again.
As of now, his return is still in doubt. He began the season on the the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) and by NFL rule, any player on the PUP list can have their practice window opened, which allows them to return to the field. The team then has three weeks to activate the player, and if he’s still not healthy, he goes back on the PUP for the remainder of the season.
Watson would need to pass medical exams before he can return to practice. On Wednesday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about Watson’s potential return, a topic he clearly does not like addressing, and said, “I don’t have an update there.”
Watson, though, does have an update. Sort of. He posted photos of himself this week working out at the Browns facility, and throughout the process of his rehab, multiple reports have surfaced suggesting he intends to return to play.
Watson captioned his workout photos: “Be READY! More GLORY.”
Whether the Browns are ready for Watson is another story. Last week, Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot said on the “Orange and Brown Talk” podcast that it is Watson’s intent to get back on the field this season–even if the Browns prefer to ignore him altogether.
“From people I talk to, he feels like he can come in and be successful with this football team,” she said. “So, I don’t know if he will get that chance, I have no idea if he will get that chance. He is like, he who shall not be named, nobody wants to talk about him. Nobody wants to answer a question about him. And we really don’t know.”
As things stand, the Browns are fully committed to Dillon Gabriel as the quarterback, despite his decidedly poor showing through five starts. Gabriel has completed only 58.6% of his passes and is averaging just 170.0 yards passing per game, for a rating of 80.4. At Pro Football Focus, Gabriel has notched a grade of 49.9, which ranks 37th out of 37 graded quarterbacks this season.
On Wednesday, in addition to being asked about Deshaun Watson, Stefanski was peppered with questions about Gabriel’s inaccuracy, even on short and intermediate throws. He has completed just two of his eight deep passes all season, and is just 17-for-42 (40.5%) on passes between 10-19 yards.
Said Stefanski: “I would just caution to any quarterback, young and old – you’re going to miss throws. It’s an occupational hazard that you’re likely not going to go 100% completion percentage. It’s an occupational hazard that a corner is going to get beat deep every once in a while. So, you’re not going to make every throw.”
The Cincinnati Bengals got back to their regular practice schedule Wednesday as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.
Let’s take a look at the team’s first injury report of the week.
Player
Injury
W/T/F
Designation
QB Joe Burrow*
Toe
Limited
—
QB Joe Flacco
Right Shoulder
DNP
—
DE Trey Hendrickson
Hip/Pelvis
DNP
—
HB Samaje Perine
Ankle
DNP
—
DE Shemar Stewart
Knee
DNP
—
CB Marco Wilson
Hamstring
Full
—
Player
Injury
W/T/F
Designation
DT Cameron Heyward
NIR — Rest
DNP
—
LB Alex Highsmith
Pectoral
DNP
—
LB Cole Holcomb
Illness
DNP
—
OT Broderick Jones
Groin
DNP
—
WR Scotty Miller
Finger
Full
—
S Jabrill Peppers
Quadricep
Full
—
G Isaac Seumalo
Pectoral
Limited
—
CB Darius Slay
Concussion
DNP
—
TE Jonnu Smith
NIR — Rest
DNP
—
CB Cory Trice Jr.*
Hamstring/Knee
DNP
—
LB T.J. Watt
NIR — Rest
DNP
—