Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will not have his 21-day practice window opened until at least Week 12, although he continues to progress well in his rehab from a torn Achilles tendon. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday, Nov. 11, that Watson continues to progress, and it hasn't been ruled out that he could appear sometime this season.

Fantasy Spin: Watson tore his right Achilles tendon last season, and he re-tore it in rehab, prompting another surgery in late January. It remains to be seen if the Browns will activate him and play him down the stretch, as they're already pretty much out of the playoff picture, and rookie Dillon Gabriel is getting hands-on training as the starter after the Joe Flacco trade, with fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders as the backup. Even when Watson returns, he is likely to have significant rust, and it would be foolish for fantasy managers to consider him when a return would be around the fantasy playoffs.

From TheHuddle

The Cleveland Browns will not open the 21-day practice window for quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) this week, despite him showing great progress in his recovery, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Watson continues to recover from the injury suffered in Week 7 of last season, in addition to a re-rupturing of his Achilles, but isn't quite ready to practice yet. It remains uncertain if he will return this season or play for Cleveland at all in the future. In the meantime, rookie Dillon Gabriel will continue to start at quarterback for Cleveland.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) won't have his practice window opened this week, according to a source.

From TheHuddle

When asked on Monday if Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) would have his 21-day practice window opened this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters, "I'm not sure if that's what we're doing." Recent reports have indicated that Watson's recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 7 of 2024 has been going well, even after an additional surgery in January. Rookie Dillon Gabriel has started the last five games for the Browns, going 1-4 in that stretch, while throwing six touchdown passes to two interceptions. Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders was the team's QB2 on Sunday after missing time with back tightness. Regardless of who is under center in Cleveland, the team's pass catchers face a muddled competition for below-average targets and will likely not be a part of many fantasy playoff rosters.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 21-day practice window will not be opened this week, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. "No update, but doing a good job," Stefanski said. Reports have suggested that Watson has been doing really well in his rehab from a torn right Achilles that he suffered in Week 7 of 2024. The 30-year-old veteran signal-caller then had additional surgery on his Achilles in January. Although he has been doing well with his rehab, Watson isn't close to returning to practice and still is not expected to be a factor at QB for the Browns in 2025. The Browns already traded away QBs Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, which has left them with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders at the position in what is turning into another lost season. It won't be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another snap for the Browns in his career.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) has been sidelined since Week 7 of last season, but is reportedly doing "great" in his rehab, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski didn't have an update on whether Watson was any closer to having his practice window opened, but he's made progress in his recovery. Watson's road to recovery was delayed when he re-tore his Achilles tendon later on and still doesn't seem that close to playing anytime soon. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Watson is still "a good month away" from being cleared to participate in any football activities. For the time being, rookie Dillion Gabriel will continue starting for Cleveland, with rookie Shedeur Sanders as his backup.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is at least a month away from being cleared for any activities, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Fantasy Spin: Watson could be back late in the season, but barring multiple injuries, there is really no point in playing him. Avoid in fantasy.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has declined to say if he foresees quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) playing this year, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Stefanski added that Watson is working hard in his rehab and has been in the meeting rooms with the rest of the team. Watson suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7 of last year and then re-tore his Achilles later on. The 30-year-old is around eight months removed from his surgery and isn't close to retaking the field. He's currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will not return to the practice field ahead of the team's Week 6 divisional tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers. For now, Cleveland is prepared to move forward with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, with rookie Shedeur Sanders potentially moving into the QB2 role after the team traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals this week.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Browns won't open quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) practice window this week, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Watson remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he rehabs from a twice-ruptured right Achilles tendon last year. Watson went down with a torn Achilles in Week 7 of last year and continues to rehab from an injury that is expected to keep him out for all of the 2025 season. The Browns haven't offered many updates on the 30-year-old and figure to move on from him after this year. Before his season-ending Achilles injury in 2024, Watson performed poorly under center for the Browns and didn't look anything like the former QB he once was in Houston. The three-time Pro Bowler didn't play at all in 2021 due to a suspension and has started a combined 19 games in three years with the Browns due to injuries.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) will not be cleared to practice this week, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Fantasy Spin: It is not known if Watson will be able to return this season, but fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation. Dillon Gabriel should keep the starting job for now after a solid Week 5 performance but will not be a starting option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is not expected to have his practice window opened this week, even though he's eligible after four weeks on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7 of last year and started the 2025 season on the PUP list as a result. The 30-year-old veteran is not anywhere near a return and probably should be considered a long shot to play at all this year. In fact, most people believe Watson has already played his last snap with the Browns. For now, the Browns will roll forward with veteran Joe Flacco as their starter under center, although there are already questions about how much longer the team will keep him as their starter, given how bad he's looked through four weeks. It could only be a matter of time before we see rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | The Browns have placed quarterback Deshaun Watson on injured reserve. Dynasty Analysis: Watson will be eligible to return after week four. However, it would be simply stunning to see him ever take a snap for Cleveland again at this point. Chances are he spends the year on injured reserve and the Browns decide what to do with him at the end of the season. Watson is damaged goods on a lot of levels with his off-the-field issues and horrific on-the-field performances over the past few years. He may simply never play in the NFL again, a shocking turn of events after what looked to be a very promising start to his career. He shouldn't be anywhere near dynasty rosters.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

The Cleveland Browns officially placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday to begin the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Watson tore his Achilles in the middle of last season and had multiple surgeries in the offseason. He will have to miss at least the first four games this year, but the full expectation is that the 29-year-old will miss the entire year. Cleveland will begin the season with veteran Joe Flacco under center, with one of rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders backing him up after they traded Kenny Pickett (hamstring) to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. The Watson investment has been one of the worst front-office decisions in franchise history to this point, as he has played in just 19 games since the start of 2021. It would not be a surprise if Watson doesn't play another down for the Browns again.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) was moved to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list on Tuesday, Aug. 26, as expected.

Fantasy Spin: Joe Flacco starts the season as the team's starting quarterback, with rookie draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders as the backups. It's hard to envision Watson returning in 2025 in any meaningful capacity for fantasy managers, and you can certainly forget about him now.

From TheHuddle

The Cleveland Browns have placed quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on the active/physically unable to perform list, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero notes that Watson's status for the 2025 season is "up in the air." Watson tore his right Achilles tendon in Week 7 of the 2024 season, then tore it again while rehabbing this past January. As a result, it's unlikely he factors for Cleveland this season. The Browns have a crowded QB room entering training camp. Veteran Joe Flacco and former first-round pick Kenny Pickett are the favorites to win the job for Week 1, while 2025 draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders bring some added competition. Even when Watson returns to full strength, he may no longer be in the Browns' plans. The 29-year-old has struggled whenever he's been on the field for Cleveland.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, July 22.

Fantasy Spin: It seems unlikely Watson will find relevance again, especially with the Browns. He is not worthy of a roster spot in any format.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) could be ready to practice sometime in October, according to a source via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Fantasy Spin: It remains highly unlikely that Watson will ever take another snap in a Browns' uniform again, but Cabot suggests the team has been "thrilled with his participation and mentorship" this offseason in addition to being an "awesome teammate inside the quarterback room and meeting rooms." Watson's fall from grace was so swift that it seems possible he will return to prominence at some point, but fantasy managers need more than hope and reports of being a great teammate. He is not worth holding in any format.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) is out of a walking boot and throwing to WRs Jerry Jeudy and David Bell at the team's facility.

From TheHuddle

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) has been throwing to receivers Jerry Jeudy and David Bell at the team's facility and has been out of his walking boot for several weeks, a league source told The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. However, Watson is not part of the offseason QB competition among Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The 29-year-old Watson had a second surgery on his Achilles back on Jan. 9 and is not expected to be ready to play at the start of the 2025 season this fall. In fact, he's widely expected to miss all of the 2025 campaign, with many believing that he's already played his last game for the Browns. Still, Watson has made "excellent progress" in his recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffered last season. But given his injury and his off-field drama, Watson's NFL future remains very murky.

From RotoBaller