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The setback Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered on his previously injured Achilles turned out to be a new tear that required surgery.
The team announced on Friday that Watson “complained of discomfort after rolling his ankle in Miami” and that a subsequent MRI showed he ruptured his Achilles for a second time:
Cleveland Browns @Browns
An update on Deshaun Watson<br><br>📰: <a href=”https://t.co/zMEmjdAZOz”>https://t.co/zMEmjdAZOz</a> <a href=”https://t.co/zkKum6wAGL”>pic.twitter.com/zkKum6wAGL</a>
Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters on Monday that Watson suffered a setback in his rehab, but they were still gathering information about the extent of what happened.
“It is new information just learned in the past couple hours. So, I don’t have everything yet,” Berry said. “I don’t want to rule out anything with a major injury. We are still collecting all the information. And obviously our focus is making sure that he can get as healthy as possible.”
Watson had surgery on Oct. 25 to repair a ruptured Achilles suffered five days earlier in a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Even though Achilles tears have become more common in the NFL, it’s not an injury that has often happened multiple times to the same player. The most recent example is running back Cam Akers, who did it in July 2021 and November 2023.
Akers returned late in the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams, helping them on their run to the Super Bowl. He split time this season with the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings, appearing in 17 regular-season games.
There’s no historical precedent for a quarterback who suffered multiple Achilles injuries, particularly in such close proximity to each other.
Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
Deshaun Watson signed a $156 million contract with the <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Texans</a> in 2020 and made his third consecutive Pro Bowl that season. His participation since:<br><br>2021: DNP (mutual decision)<br>2022: 6 games (suspension)<br>2023: 6 games (injury)<br>2024: 7 games (injury)<br>2025: TBD (injury)
Watson’s playing status for next season was already up in the air before the second Achilles tear. He was going to be on the Browns roster after restructuring his contract in December, but the team seemed likely to go after a quarterback either in the draft or free agency who could at least challenge for the starting spot in 2025 because of Watson’s struggles.
This setback all but ensures the Browns will explore various avenues to add to their quarterback room next season. They own the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Watson has only appeared in 19 games with the Browns over the past three seasons due to injuries and suspension. He finished this season with 1,148 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions in seven games.
