Deshaun Watson Could Be Back On Browns Sidelines Soon

Watson is out for the year with a shoulder injury, but Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Watson will be back around his teammates again next week after spending time in Los Angeles to rehab

Deshaun Watson could be back around his Browns teammates soon — even though he won’t be able to play with them again until 2024.

Watson, who has spent most of the last three weeks rehabbing in Los Angeles from a season-ending shoulder injury, could be rejoining the Browns next week as they look to punch a ticket to the playoffs.

“Been staying in touch with him all week,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday. “We’re excited he’s going to be back in the building next week with us. He’s living and dying from LA watching us play, but he’s supporting his teammates every day, and it’ll be good to have him back in-person.”

Watson has been away from the team since undergoing surgery by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Nov. 21, nine days after he suffered the shoulder injury in a win against the Ravens in Week 10. The Browns announced he would be out for the year on Nov. 15.

Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during warm ups before the game at Cleveland Browns Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Watson was still on the Browns’ sidelines for their next game against the Steelers on Nov. 19, but the Browns decided it would be too risky for Watson to return to the sidelines — where he could face an unexpected collision from players on the field — as he recovered after his surgery, according to a report from Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

The Browns’ medical personnel and Dr. ElAttrache also didn’t want Watson flying back and forth from Los Angeles to Cleveland and other cities the Browns traveled to in order to reduce swelling in the shoulder, per Cabot’s report.

That’s why Watson has only been able to attend the Browns’ Week 13 game against the Rams — played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles — since his surgery. He watched the game in a suite.

The Browns have largely been doing just fine without Watson and have had their passing game boosted by Joe Flacco, who has given the Browns two of their best passing performances of the season in their last two wins. Flacco tied Vinny Testaverde for a franchise-record seven touchdown passes in his first three games with the Browns and has totaled 939 passing yards, which is also the highest ever by a Browns QB in their first three games.

Flacco is just 177 yards away from eclipsing Watson’s passing yards total for the season. Watson played in six games before he was ruled out for the year and finished the season with seven touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown.