Deshaun Watson Designated To Return To Browns Practice As Shedeur Sanders Prepares To Make Third Career Start

Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders may not have long to prove he deserves to be the team's long-term starter going forward. With Sanders prepping to make his third career start, the Browns announced Wednesday that quarterback Deshaun Watson was designated to return to practice.

With the move, Watson, 30, now has 21 days to prove he's healthy enough to be activated. If he passes that test, Watson can join the Browns at any point in that window. If not, Watson would have to be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve at the end of those 21 days. 

If Watson is able to get back on the field this season, the Browns could be put in a tough situation at quarterback. When he was acquired in 2022, Watson was supposed to be the Browns' answer at quarterback. Watson showed elite skills early with the Houston Texans, making three Pro Bowls in his first four years with the franchise. 

But his time in Houston came to a halt following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. He did not play for the team in 2021 despite being healthy, and was shipped to the Browns after the season. 

With Cleveland, Watson signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. After he served a 11-game suspension, it was expected Watson would return, show the promise he had early in his career and give the Browns the franchise passer they've desperately been seeking. 

Watson did return, but didn't look like the same player. Since joining the Browns, Watson has thrown just 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 19 starts. He's battled various injuries since joining the team, forcing the Browns to rely on other players under center. 

Watson has not played in 2025 as a result of one of those injuries. He tore his Achilles during the team's Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last season. He then tore his Achilles again in January, putting his 2025 season in doubt. 

With Watson not really in the plans, the Browns aggressively tried to add at the position. Veteran Joe Flacco was brought in to start and the team spent draft picks on Sanders (fifth round) and Dillon Gabriel (third round). Flacco, however, was traded after just a few games, leading to Gabriel assuming the starting role. But Gabriel got hurt, opening the door for Sanders to finally get his shot.

Despite being a fifth-round pick, Sanders entered the NFL with a lot of hype. He's showed some flashes of that in his first two NFL starts, but hasn't done enough to prove he's the future in Cleveland. 

If Watson is able to return, the Browns will need to decide whether he deserves another opportunity. He's the far more accomplished player and is getting paid a lot of money, but Cleveland is incentivized to see what it has in Gabriel and Sanders, as that could drastically alter the team's offseason plans.