NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
As well as Sheader Sanders settling in as the Cleveland Browns' defensive end, the signal-caller with whom the team signed a $230 million deal returns to the field for the first time in more than a year.
Deshaun Watson On October 20, 2024, he tore his Achilles tendon and did it again in January, delaying his return.
But the Browns opened Watson's 21-day window to return Wednesday just as Sanders prepares for the third start of his NFL career.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS RESOURCES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Quarterbacks Sheader Sanders and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns watch from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025 in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
“He worked so hard, he recovered. So to finally get on the practice field with his teammates, get some one-on-one training, I think it's really great for him,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Our goal is to activate that training window, see him on the training field, get him involved in individual sessions and things like that. He did everything that was asked of him. He was so supportive of the players in the conference room on the playing field. Now he can do it on the training field.”
Watson is 9-10 as Cleveland's starter. He has 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a passer rating of 80.7. He is also unpopular with fans after the Browns sent five draft picks, including three first-round picks, to Houston and signed him to a fully guaranteed contract. widely accepted contract as one of the worst in league history.
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson vs. Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 13, 2024 in Philadelphia. (Chris Sagola, File/AP Photo)
If Watson is not activated from injured reserve during the window, he will miss the entire season.
The Browns “made a big swing and missed” with the trade. co-owner Jimmy Haslam said during league meetings in March, adding: “We have to dig ourselves out of this hole.”
The Browns renegotiated Watson's contract twice in three months this offseason in an effort to provide some financial flexibility.
Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns walks off the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Cleveland on September 8, 2024. (Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Watson is under contract through the 2026 season, and Dillon Gabriel is Sanders' backup. Sanders entered the Week 11 game after Gabriel suffered a concussion. Sanders started Week 12 with Gabriel on the protocol, and after winning his first start, Sanders remained in the starting lineup even after Gabriel was cleared to play.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports reporting on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
