NFL world reacts to major Deshaun Watson announcement Deshaun Watson was a full participant in practice on Friday.
Following another week of speculation, we now know when Deshaun Watson will be back in action.
On Friday, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Watson will get the start at quarterback on Sunday when they face the Arizona Cardinals. The three-time Pro Bowl signal-caller was a full participant in the Browns’ practice on Friday after being a limited participant on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Watson’s return to the Cleveland lineup comes more than one month after he suffered a right shoulder injury in the Browns’ Week 3 victory over the Tennessee Titans. After missing a loss to the Baltimore Ravens and win over the San Francisco 49ers, which were sandwiched around a bye week, Watson first returned to action for Cleveland’s Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. His return, however, proved to be premature, as he was pulled from the game after suffering a big hit following a 1-for-5, one-interception start to the game.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Watson — who missed the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks — admitted that he jumped the gun in returning against the Colts two weeks ago. Asked how he’d know when he’d be healthy enough to play again, the Clemson product said that there were still protocols he needed to clear, which he has presumably since done.
While Watson’s last full game was his best as a member of the Browns as he completed 27 of his 33 pass attempts for 289 yards and two touchdowns against the Titans, his two-season tenure in Cleveland has largely been underwhelming. After opening the 2022 season by serving an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, the former Houston Texans signal-caller was inconsistent — at best — before a 2023 campaign that has been plagued by the same inconsistencies and injuries
Now he’ll have a chance to get his season back on track.
At 4-3, the Browns enter their Week 9 matchup against the 1-7 Cardinals in third place of the AFC North. After Watson’s return was announced on Friday, many took to social media to weigh in.
