Yahoo Sports Browns QB Deshaun Watson tears Achilles for second time since October, availability for 2025 season in doubt
Browns GM Andrew Berry said earlier this week that Watson had suffered a setback in his rehab
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent surgery on Thursday after tearing his Achilles for the second time since October, the team announced on Friday.
"Yesterday, Deshaun Watson underwent a second surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon rupture. Watson initially tore the tendon during the Browns' Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20. His first surgery was performed on Oct. 25. Earlier this week, when Watson reported to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for his exit physical as part of the Browns' season-ending process, he complained of discomfort after rolling his ankle in Miami. MRI results demonstrated a re-rupture to his Achilles tendon. Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, NC, performed both surgeries. Watson's recovery time and return to play status is uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season."
Earlier this week, Browns general manager Andrew Berry told reporters that Watson had suffered a setback in his rehab from his first Achilles injury suffered in Week 7, but that it was too early to determine the severity.
According to Berry, Watson told doctors during his exit physical something did not feel right.
Now with a second surgery, Watson's status for the 2025 NFL season is in question, though doctors say recovery time is expected to be at least seven months. This news now could lock in the Browns to go quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, right after the Tennessee Titans, who are also in the market for a new signal caller.
In December, Watson and the Browns agreed to a contract restructure that will not affect the $92 million in fully guaranteed money Watson is owed for the 2025 and 2026 NFL seasons, nor the $72.9 million salary-cap hit he'll have for each season, but it will allow Cleveland to spread his dead money over multiple seasons if he stays with the team through 2026.
The alternative was a sizable cap hit in 2027, when Watson will no longer be under contract with the team.
Watson has yet to play more than seven games in a season since joining the Browns — having played 19 in total after signing a five-year, $230 million contract in 2022 — and finished his second straight season on the injured list.
