Deshaun Watson returns for Browns preseason comeback

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson confirmed he is back on the field, returning to action during Saturday’s training camp session in Berea, Ohio. The 30-year-old is taking part in his first meaningful on-field work since undergoing two Achilles surgeries, officials said.

Watson missed the entire 2025 season after a re-tear, and his return immediately reshapes Cleveland’s preseason quarterback picture. He is competing with Shedeur Sanders for the starting job as the club uses game settings to evaluate readiness and execution.

Watson’s return after two Achilles surgeries

Watson’s comeback effort follows a right Achilles tendon tear in October 2024 and a second surgery in January 2025, according to the details provided. Saturday’s practice marked his first significant step back into football activity after that sequence of procedures.

Since arriving in Cleveland via a 2022 trade, Watson has played in 19 games. Officials attributed the limited availability to a combination of league-mandated suspensions and physical injuries, which have repeatedly disrupted continuity at the position.

Preseason plan sets up a direct competition with Sanders Head coach Todd Monken said both Watson and Shedeur Sanders will see playing time across the upcoming preseason schedule. The stated is to evaluate each quarterback under game conditions before deciding how the position will line up for the regular season.

In practice, Watson has been rotating reps with the first-team offense. Over the last three sessions, he has thrown three interceptions, and Monken said the current turnover pace needs tighter control to support effective preparation, even with preseason framed as a development period.

Sanders leans on Year 2 routine after late-season starts Sanders, entering his second professional season, said he has built a steadier routine compared with his rookie year. He started the final seven games of that season, and the team is now using the preseason to measure command, consistency, and overall offensive timing.

The coaching staff said the preseason slate will help finalize the depth chart and assess offensive rhythm heading into the regular season. For Cleveland, the process is designed to move from controlled practice settings to live competition while balancing development with decision-making at quarterback.

How Watson’s health and decision-making translate to preseason game action, and how Sanders responds to direct competition, are among the central unknowns that the Browns aim to clarify before finalizing their plan for Week 1.