With five games left in the regular season, the Cleveland Browns are cracking open a door that many thought was sealed shut months ago: Deshaun Watson is back on the practice field.
The team officially opened his 21-day practice window, giving them until December 24 to decide whether to activate him or keep him on the reserve list for the rest of the year. That’s a significant development, considering Watson’s 2025 season was widely presumed over after he suffered a ruptured Achilles in Week 7 and underwent a second surgery in January. But now, there’s a very real chance Browns fans could see their starting quarterback take the field before the season wraps up.
It’s a surprising twist in a season that’s already been a quarterback carousel for Cleveland. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has kept things quiet regarding Watson’s recovery and status, and with good reason - the Browns have had their hands full just keeping a healthy signal-caller under center.
The season opened with veteran Joe Flacco at the helm. He brought experience and poise, but after a rocky stretch, he was benched and eventually traded to the Bengals - where, in a full-circle moment, he was recently benched again with Joe Burrow returning from injury.
Next up was rookie Dillon Gabriel. The young QB showed flashes, but his time was cut short when he entered concussion protocol. That opened the door for another rookie, Shedeur Sanders, who has started the last two games and is slated to start again this weekend against the Titans.
Through all of this, Watson has remained close to the team. He’s been a steady presence in the quarterback room, offering guidance to both Gabriel and Sanders as they navigate the early stages of their NFL careers. His first road trip with the team came just a couple of weeks ago when Sanders made his debut start against the Raiders - a subtle but telling sign that Watson was inching closer to returning.
Now, with the practice window open, the Browns have a decision to make. Do they roll the dice and try to get Watson back on the field in the final stretch, or do they play it safe and look ahead to 2026? That likely depends on how Watson looks in practice and how the Browns position themselves in the playoff race.
Either way, the fact that this is even a conversation in December is remarkable. A second Achilles surgery typically sidelines players for a full year, sometimes longer. But Watson’s ahead-of-schedule return could give Cleveland a late-season jolt - or at the very least, a glimpse of what’s to come next season.
For now, it’s Shedeur Sanders’ show. But if Watson keeps progressing, don’t be surprised if that QB room gets even more interesting before the year is out.