Browns won’t activate Deshaun Watson from PUP list before end of season

Deshaun Watson’s season is over before it started. 

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that the franchise won’t activate the quarterback from the physically unable to perform list this season. 

Watson hasn’t taken the field during a game since October 2024, when he tore his right Achilles tendon. 

In January, Watson underwent a second surgery after re-tearing the tendon during the rehab process.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watches on the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“He’s done a great job with everything that’s been asked of him,” Stefanski said of Watson. “I’ve gotten to see him work so hard, whether it’s in the training room, by himself in the indoor with the trainers, on the practice field now for the last bit. Just felt like this was the right decision for him and for us. His focus will continue to be to help this football team and continue to get healthy and get stronger and all those types of things.”

Over the past three weeks, Watson has been doing individual drills and running the Browns’ scout team offense. 

The injury has added to a disappointing tenure in Cleveland for Watson since he signed a historic five-year, $230 million deal with the Browns before the 2022 season. 

In addition to the injuries, Watson was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season due to sexual assault allegations made against him during his time with the Texans.

With his contract set to expire after the 2026 season and competition at the quarterback position, Watson’s future with the Browns is up in the air. 

After starting the year with veteran Joe Flacco behind center, the Browns have given Dillion Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who were drafted in the third and fifth round, respectively, in April, a shot at the QB1 job. 

Sanders, who has thrown for 1,103 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions in six games (five starts), is expected to start the Browns’ last two games. 

Cleveland is 3-12 heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Steelers.