Deshaun Watson takes major step in return as Browns begin to settle on Shedeur Sanders

Just arsenic Shedeur Sanders is settling successful arsenic the Cleveland Browns quarterback, the signal-caller the squad signed to a $230 cardinal woody is backmost connected the tract for the archetypal clip successful implicit a year.

Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles tendon Oct. 20, 2024, and did truthful again successful January, delaying his return.

But the Browns opened Watson's 21-day model to instrumentality Wednesday, conscionable arsenic Sanders is prepping for the 3rd commencement of his NFL career.

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Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns ticker from the sideline during the 4th fourth against the Cincinnati Bengals astatine Huntington Bank Field Sept. 7, 2025, successful Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

"He’s been moving truthful hard, rehabbing. So, finally, to get retired determination connected the signifier tract with his teammates, spell done individual, I deliberation is truly large for him," Coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Our absorption is activating this signifier window, seeing him connected the signifier field, getting him into individual, those benignant of things. He’s done everything that’s asked of him. He’s been truthful supportive successful the gathering country connected the crippled tract with the players. Now helium gets to spell bash that connected the signifier field."

Watson is 9-10 arsenic Cleveland’s starter. He has 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a passer standing of 80.7. He's besides unpopular among fans aft the Browns sent 5 draught picks to Houston, including 3 first-round selections, and signed him to a afloat guaranteed declaration wide regarded arsenic 1 of the worst successful league history.

Cleveland Browns backmost Deshaun Watson against the Philadelphia Eagles Oct. 13, 2024, successful Philadelphia.  (Chris Szagola, File/AP Photo)

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If Watson is not activated from injured reserve successful the window, helium volition miss the full season.

The Browns "took a large plaything and miss" with the trade, co-owner Jimmy Haslam said during league meetings successful March, adding, "We’ve got to excavation ourselves retired of that hole."

The Browns person reworked Watson's declaration doubly successful 3 months during the offseason successful a bid for immoderate fiscal flexibility.

The Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson walks disconnected the tract aft a crippled against the Dallas Cowboys successful Cleveland Sept. 8, 2024.  (Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)

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Watson is nether declaration for the 2026 season, and Dillon Gabriel is Sanders' backup. Sanders entered a Week 11 crippled aft Gabriel sustained a concussion. Sanders started Week 12 portion Gabriel was successful the protocol, and aft winning his archetypal start, Sanders remained the starter adjacent aft Gabriel was cleared to play.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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