Washington (AFP) – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had a second operation on his ruptured Achilles tendon and will likely miss “significant time” next season, the NFL team said Friday.
Watson’s disappointing NFL campaign was brought to a premature close when he tore his right Achilles tendon in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 20. It was the second straight year that Watson’s season ended early because of injury. He missed the last eight games of 2023 after a shoulder injury that required surgery.
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The Browns said that Watson had rolled his ankle in Miami, where he was recovering, and when he had his end of season physical in Cleveland this week he complained of discomfort. An MRI scan showed he had re-ruptured the tendon. “Watson’s recovery time and return to play status is uncertain, and he will likely miss significant time during the 2025 season,” the team said in a statement.
Prior to the injury in October, Watson had thrown for just over 1,000 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions over the first six weeks of the season. In December, the NFL ended its review of the latest sexual assault allegations against Watson, saying there was insufficient evidence he violated league rules.
The probe was launched after a lawsuit filed in Texas alleged Watson sexually assaulted a woman at her apartment in 2020 — an allegation the player denied. Watson sat out the 2021 season and was suspended 11 games of the 2022 campaign after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. Watson reached settlements with 23 of the women accusing him, and no criminal charges were ever brought against him.
Although Watson has two years remaining on a five-year guaranteed $230 million contract he signed before the 2022 season, the Browns could use their second overall pick in this year’s NFL draft on a quarterback prospect.
© 2024 AFP
