“Football is just like life.” But for months, Deshaun Watson hasn’t touched the pigskin. Remember the last time he was under center on Oct. 20, 2024, against the Bengals? Deshaun suffered an Achilles injury. So, they carted him off the field. But the Dawg Pound? They serenaded his exit with boos… And while the rest of the world is watching the crowded Browns’ QB room, they’ve forgotten the man who couldn’t escape the PUP. That hasn’t stopped him, however. When no one was watching, he worked hard on rehab and on his recovery. To remind the ones who forgot him. And now, he’s back!

After re-rupturing his Achilles tendon almost 9 months ago, Deshaun Watson is ready for the big stage once again. He’s coming out with a bang just as he said he would. Watson promised earlier this year that his comeback would be “way better than before.” The 3-time Pro Bowler addressed the doubters by dropping his announcement reel on his Instagram. And it is everything he said it would be.

He captioned the reel: “#FOCUSED 4OVE x MoreGLORY!” The reel shows him working out in the gym, putting in the effort while only background music plays over the clip. It was about getting up…from down under. The BG sound said, “A man who earns success the hard way never forgets the struggle. He remembers the nights with no sleep. The days full of doubt. And the silence when no one believed in him. He didn’t get lucky. He got focused. While others waited, he worked. While they talked, he built. His success wasn’t handed to him. It was earned in pain and sacrifice, and in silence. Now, that he’s here, he doesn’t need to speak.”

Deshaun’s tenure with the Browns hasn’t been a success story. For all the $230 Ms invested… In fact, Injuries and suspensions have marred it. While there were glimpses of his talent, it never turned consistent. Jimmy Haslam labeled him “a big swing and miss.” The post is an answer to the doubters who have written him off. The announcement hinted at a return, but the team hasn’t made anything official yet.

Whether he will join training camp, preseason or regular season will all depend on Stefanski’s plans for him. Will he compete for the starting position with the 4 other QBs on the roster? Or does Stefanski have another plan for him? Either way, his return to the squad is a huge addition. After all, Sanders’ recent injury has the team concerned.

Deshaun Watson, in… Or out?

Shedeur Sanders is another name that receives many doubts. As the 5th round rookie, he’s at the tail end of the race. However, his performances in camp have been exceptional. Especially on Days 3 and 4, where he topped the charts compared to his fellow QBs. However, most of the action he’s been seeing is with the third string, while Dillon Gabriel is getting reps in with the first team. So Stefanski has made his choice among the rookies clear.

And a recent update on Sanders’ health doesn’t help his case. Especially after Kenny Pickett pulling his hamstring… According to Adam Schefter, “Browns QB Shedeur Sanders is being held out of team drills today due to what the team is calling shoulder soreness.” This isn’t the first injury concern of Sanders’ career. He suffered a fractured back at the end of the 2023 season after taking a record 52 sacks.

With the preseason opening soon, an injury at this point may put him behind a few weeks. After all, if he’s not getting the reps in during the installation schedule, how much will the Stefanski trust him when it’s game time? Sanders needs to prioritize his health and fitness so he can get back to the field ASAP. Plus, if Watson returns to the roster, the team will push his name further up the QB depth chart. To avoid that, Shedeur must prove he’s fit and ready.