Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ‘had a setback’ in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, general manager Andrew Berry revealed Monday.
Berry said it’s still too early in the recovery period from Watson’s Oct. 25 tendon repair surgery to determine if it will impact his availability for the start of the 2025 season.
‘We don’t have all the details and everything yet, but it will obviously extend the recovery process for him,’ Berry told reporters during Monday’s press conference.
Watson, who still has $92 million remaining on a five-year, $250 million contract he signed in 2022, tore his Achilles in the second quarter of Cleveland’s Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
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In his seven games as the starter this season, the Browns went 1-6, with Watson completing 63.4% of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
He has played in just 19 games for the Browns since being acquired in a trade from the Houston Texans and signing the fully guaranteed deal.
He missed 11 games last season because of multiple shoulder injuries and was suspended 11 games in 2022 for NFL personal conduct policy violations in connection with more than two dozen lawsuits by women in the Houston area alleging sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct during massage appointments.
After finishing 3-14 this season with quarterbacks Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe all getting starts, the Browns will have the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.