The Three Shocking Reasons Deshaun Watson Is Not Playing In The 2025 NFL Season

As of December 2025, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is not playing due to a catastrophic and career-threatening injury—a twice-torn Achilles tendon that required surgery and has put his status for the entire 2025 NFL season in serious jeopardy. This latest development is the most immediate reason for his absence, yet it is only the third major hurdle that has kept the polarizing star off the field for significant periods since 2021.

The saga of Watson's playing time has been defined by a turbulent mix of legal battles, a landmark NFL suspension, a massive fully guaranteed contract, and now, a brutal string of injuries. Fans, analysts, and the Cleveland Browns organization are left to reconcile the quarterback's immense talent with the reality of his prolonged absence and the financial burden of his $230 million deal.

Deshaun Watson Professional Biography & Career Snapshot

Derrick Deshaun Watson is one of the most talented yet controversial quarterbacks of his generation. His career has been a rollercoaster of elite performance, legal turmoil, and devastating injuries.

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• Full Name: Derrick Deshaun Watson
• Born: September 14, 1995 (Age 30 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Gainesville, Georgia
• College: Clemson University (Led team to 2017 National Championship)
• NFL Draft: 2017, Round 1, Pick 12 (Houston Texans)
• NFL Teams: Houston Texans (2017–2021), Cleveland Browns (2022–Present)
• Pro Bowl Selections: 3 (2018, 2019, 2020)
• Contract: Signed a 5-year, $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. The deal is fully guaranteed.

The Crippling Injury That Ended the 2025 Season: Twice-Torn Achilles

The single, most recent, and most critical reason Deshaun Watson is not playing is a severe Achilles tendon rupture. This injury is a devastating setback that has effectively ended his 2025 campaign and casts a long shadow over his future.

A Double Rupture and Extended Recovery Timeline

Watson initially suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in the 2024 season. While recovering, he suffered a second, related setback, re-tearing the Achilles tendon just three months later. This second rupture required another surgery, which took place in late 2025.

The nature of the injury—a twice-torn Achilles—is extremely serious for a professional athlete, particularly a quarterback who relies on mobility and a stable base for throwing. Medical experts and league analysts now believe his status for the entire 2025 season is in jeopardy, with some suggesting he is not expected to play at all.

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The PUP List and Previous Shoulder Issue

Before the second Achilles rupture, Watson was already on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list for the 2025 season as he recovered from the initial tear. The Browns had briefly opened his 21-day practice window, but this was more to keep him engaged with the team than a sign of an imminent return.

This follows a period in the 2024 season where Watson struggled with a shoulder injury, which also limited his performance and playing time before the first Achilles tear. The combination of a previous shoulder issue and the current, severe Achilles damage raises significant questions about his ability to return to Pro Bowl form.

The Controversial Absence: Suspension and Legal Fallout

While injury is the current cause, the first major period of missed time for Deshaun Watson was due to a series of high-profile off-field issues, which led to a massive NFL suspension and a trade demand from his former team, the Houston Texans. This history is crucial to understanding why his career has been so fragmented.

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The 2022 NFL Suspension

In 2022, Deshaun Watson was suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. This ruling came after an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault made by more than two dozen women through civil lawsuits.

The controversy began in 2021 when Watson was still with the Texans. Due to the mounting legal issues and a trade request, the Texans decided to keep him inactive for the entire 2021 season, even though he was healthy. This decision effectively sidelined him for a full year before he ever played a snap for the Browns.

Settlements and Public Scrutiny

Watson settled the majority of the civil lawsuits brought against him. The NFL's decision to suspend him for 11 games was part of a settlement between the league and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). The $5 million fine was directed to non-profit organizations focused on preventing sexual misconduct.

This period of non-play was entirely separate from any physical injury. It became a defining moment in his career, leading to intense public scrutiny and a debate over the appropriateness of the punishment and the massive fully guaranteed contract the Browns offered him shortly thereafter.

Contract Implications and the Browns' Quarterback Conundrum

The third major factor influencing Watson's status is the unprecedented financial commitment the Cleveland Browns made to him, which now heavily impacts the team’s strategy while he is injured.

The Fully Guaranteed $230 Million Contract

Watson signed a 5-year, $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2022, which was fully guaranteed—a landmark deal in NFL history. This massive financial commitment ties Watson to the team through the 2026 season and means the Browns are paying him a significant amount of money even while he is unable to play.

The contract structure makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the Browns to move on from Watson before the 2026 season without incurring colossal salary cap penalties. This financial reality means the team has a vested interest in his recovery, regardless of the timeline.

The 2025 Quarterback Carousel

With Watson sidelined, the Cleveland Browns have been forced to navigate a chaotic quarterback situation throughout the 2025 season. The team has relied on a carousel of backups and veteran additions to manage the offense.

Rookie Shedeur Sanders has seen time as the starter, and other quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett have been part of the team's depth chart. The team's inability to settle on a stable, high-level replacement underscores the void left by Watson, even as the organization grapples with the uncertainty of his return to form.

The decision to place Watson on the PUP list and the subsequent surgery on his Achilles meant the Browns had to pivot their entire offensive strategy for the 2025 season. The focus now shifts entirely to his rehabilitation, with the hope that he can finally return to the field healthy for the 2026 season—the final year of his current contract.