Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson watches on the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium.

The Cleveland Browns' 2025 quarterback carousel might see a fourth horse enter the circuitous race for the starting job.

Cleveland has designated quarterback Deshaun Watson for a return to practice, the team announced on Dec. 3.

The nine-year NFL veteran has spent the entire 2025 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. After tearing his Achilles in a Week 7 game last year, Watson re-ruptured the same tendon in January while working to rehabilitate the reconstructed Achilles.

The Browns traded for Watson and signed him to a fully guaranteed, five-year, $230 million extension in 2022, a year after more than 20 women filed civil suits against the former Houston Texans quarterback for sexual misconduct. In the four years since the trade, Watson has played in 19 games for the Browns and has a 9-10 record as a starter.

Cleveland has already started three different quarterbacks this season: veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. The Browns are 3-9, last place in the AFC North and could start a fourth different quarterback before the end of the season.

Here's the latest Watson injury update:

When will Deshaun Watson return?

The Browns opened Watson's 21-day practice window to return from the PUP list on Dec. 3. The veteran quarterback has three weeks to make his return to the active roster from an Achilles injury. If he isn't activated, the Browns will have to place him on season-ending injured reserve.

It's unclear what the Browns' plan is for Watson. The 30-year-old hasn't played since Week 7 last year, and Cleveland's focus so far in 2025 has been allowing their rookie quarterbacks to get valuable, in-game experience. Gabriel, the team's third-round rookie, has started six games and gone 1-5. Sanders, the fifth-round rookie, is preparing for his third straight start in Week 14 after going 1-1 in his first two.

So while Watson's return to the active roster may be imminent, it's not apparent whether he'll play this year – let alone as Cleveland's starter again – when (or if) he is activated from the PUP list.

Browns QB depth chart

  • Shedeur Sanders
  • Dillon Gabriel
  • Deshaun Watson (PUP – Achilles)

The Browns' Week 1 starter, Flacco, is with the Cincinnati Bengals after a midseason trade. The two rookies – Gabriel and Sanders – have handled starting duties for the Browns in the time since. Each of the three Cleveland starters this season has one win apiece.

Bailey Zappe is also on the Browns' practice squad as a third healthy option.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deshaun Watson to return to Browns practice in Week 14: What it means

Reporting by Jack McKessy, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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