Deshaun Watson returned to Browns practice: What's next? (2024)

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is set to return to the practice field with his teammates this week for the first time since his 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy took effect on Aug. 30.

Watson has not appeared in a regular-season game since the 2020 season.

When can Watson return to practice with the Browns?

Watson became eligible to return to practice Monday, the day after the Browns’ Week 10 loss to the Dolphins. Cleveland’s first on-field team practice of the week is Wednesday. Watson has been allowed in the Browns facility since Oct. 10, but has only been permitted to work out with team training/medical staff, attend meetings and meet individually with head coach Kevin Stefanski, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing.

Why was Watson suspended?

Watson was suspended for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy after more than 20 women accused him of sexual assault and sexual misconduct during massage appointments.

Judge Sue L. Robinson initially delivered a six-game suspension for Watson on Aug. 1, but the NFL appealed the decision. The NFL and Watson then agreed to an 11-game suspension on Aug. 18 before former New Jersey attorney general Peter C. Harvey delivered a ruling on the appeal.

In addition to the 11-game suspension, Watson also agreed to undergo counseling and pay a $5 million fine, the largest fine for a player in league history.

When can Watson play in a game?

Watson is not eligible to play in a game until Week 13, the Browns’ 12th game of the season. When Cleveland faces the Texans — Watson’s former team — on Dec. 4, it will have been exactly 700 days since Watson last played in a regular-season game: Jan. 3, 2021, for the Texans in a season-ending loss to the Titans.

Watson sat out the 2021 season in Houston after requesting a trade and being accused of sexual assault and sexual misconduct.

While sitting out the 2021 season, Watson worked out at the Texans’ facility with team trainers, but largely away from the rest of the team with the exception of a few drills during training camp. He did not attend games.

How did Watson play when he was last on the field for the regular season?

The 2020 Texans went 4-12, though that was thanks in large part to a Houston defense that ranked 27th in scoring and the league’s second-worst running game. Watson led the NFL in passing yards (4,823) and yards per attempt (8.87) despite losing top receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade during the preceding offseason. Watson threw 33 touchdown passes with seven interceptions and he also ran for 444 yards, fifth most among quarterbacks that season.

Will Watson be the Browns’ starting quarterback when he can play?

Yes. During the Browns’ bye week in Week 9, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry told reporters that Watson will take over as the Browns’ starting quarterback as soon as he is eligible to do so.

Who has played quarterback for the Browns during Watson’s suspension?

Backup Jacoby Brissett has started all nine games for Cleveland this season. Brissett has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 2,074 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. His 87.1 passer rating ranks 19th in the NFL and he ranks 17th in passing expected points added (EPA) per dropback.

Where are the Browns in the AFC playoff picture?

Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins dropped the Browns to 3-6 this season, tied for third place in the AFC North (3.0 games back of the first-place Ravens) and tied for 11th in the AFC overall. Cleveland travels to Buffalo to face the Bills in Week 11 followed by a home matchup with the Buccaneers in Week 12.

Once Watson is eligible to play, the Browns will have six games left on their regular season schedule:

• Week 13 at Texans (1-7-1)
• Week 14 at Bengals (5-4)
• Week 15 vs. Ravens (6-3)
• Week 16 vs. Saints (3-7)
• Week 17 at Commanders (4-5 entering Week 10)
• Week 18 at Steelers (3-6)

What’s the status of the civil cases against Watson?

A total of 26 women have filed civil suits against Watson. He has settled 23 of those suits and one woman dropped her suit in April 2021 after a judge ruled the plaintiffs had to attach their names to their lawsuits against Watson. Two suits remain active, including one filed in October.

What about criminal charges?

Grand juries in two separate Texas counties, Harris and Brazoria, declined to indict Watson on criminal charges in March 2022.

How was Watson acquired by the Browns?

After a Harris County grand jury said it would not indict Watson on March 11, 2022, the quarterback met with multiple teams in what amounted to a version of free agency for a player whose contract featured a no-trade clause. In addition to the Browns, the Panthers, Falcons and Saints also met with Watson.

As part of the deal to acquire him, the Browns gave Watson a fully guaranteed five-year deal worth $230 million — the most guaranteed money ever in an NFL contract. Ahead of the 2020 season, Watson had signed a four-year, $156 million extension with the Texans that was not set to kick in until the 2022 season but included the no-trade clause that allowed him to pick his destination.

In exchange for Watson, the Browns sent the Texans first-round picks in 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as a 2023 third-round pick and fourth-round selections in 2022 and 2024. Houston sent Cleveland a 2024 sixth-round pick in addition to Watson.

(Top photo: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)