Watson (Achilles) was placed on the active/PUP list by the Browns on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson will officially open training camp on the sidelines, as expected, considering he's still recovering from a second right Achilles procedure that he underwent in January. The quarterback is projected to be forced to miss the beginning of the 2025 campaign already, and once healthy, it seems unlikely that the 29-year-old will regain the starting role in Cleveland. The Browns will enter training camp with Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel as healthy options at QB.

Watson (Achilles) has been out of his walking boot for several weeks and was throwing to teammates at the Browns' facility Monday, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson had a second surgery on his Achilles on Jan. 9 after aggravating the injury. He's not expected to be ready for the start of the season, and he isn't projected to compete for the starting job even when he is capable of retaking the field. Nevertheless, Cabot described Watson as having made "excellent progress" in his recovery.

Watson (Achilles) has agreed to a contract restructure that frees up $36 million in 2025 cap space for the Browns, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The agreement likely adds another void year to the contract while also converting base salary into a bonus. Watson still figures to get all the money from his disastrous, fully guaranteed contract, although he may eventually play out the end of the deal as a backup or even be released. His 2024 campaign ended in October after he ruptured his right Achilles' tendon -- an injury that was surgically repaired shortly thereafter, only for Watson to re-rupture the tendon later on. He had a second surgery Jan. 9, making him unlikely to be ready for Week 1 of 2025 (almost exactly eight months later). Watson has been rehabbing at the team facility but is expected to miss "significant time in the 2025 season," according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Once healthy, Watson may have to settle for a backup role, be it behind a rookie or another veteran quarterback.

After rupturing his Achilles again, Watson underwent another surgery Thursday to address the injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.

EDGE Analysis

As a result of the setback, Watson's 2025 season could now be in jeopardy. Look for further details regarding Watson's estimated recovery timeline to emerge in the coming days and weeks, but the Browns figure to fortify their depth at the quarterback position this offseason, via free agency, trade or through the 2025 NFL Draft in which Cleveland holds the No. 2 overall selection.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Monday that Watson has experienced a setback in his rehab from Achilles surgery that will extend the quarterback's recovery timeline, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson suffered the season-ending injury in an Oct. 20 loss to the Bengals and underwent surgery Oct. 25 to repair his torn right Achilles. According to Berry, the Browns weren't aware of Watson having suffered a setback until he was evaluated again Sunday during his end-of-season physical. As a result of the setback, Berry noted that Watson could require another surgery, though the quarterback presumably will receive multiple medical opinions over the next few weeks before deciding the next steps in his rehab program. Given the nature of Achilles injuries, Watson was already facing an uphill battle to be back to full health for the start of the 2025 campaign, and it's now even more likely that he opens next season on a reserve list. After agreeing to a restructured contract in late December, Watson remains on the Browns' books through the 2026 season, but his underwhelming play over his first three seasons in Cleveland in addition to the Achilles injury muddles his long-term outlook in the organization -- especially considering the team will be picking second in the 2025 Draft, putting them in prime position to select Watson's successor.

Watson (Achilles) and the Browns agreed to a restructured contract Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The restructured contract doesn't alter Watson's pay or salary structure, but it spreads out the financial impact of the deal by adding two void years. The quarterback still is under contract, will be paid the next two seasons and then become a free agent in 2027. The restructure does not necessarily mean Watson will be the team's quarterback in 2025, and the state of his injured ankle is not the only unknown. The Browns are expected to revamp the roster, which could impact Watson's status.

Watson underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a ruptured right Achilles' tendon, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

With his surgery going off without any complications, the 29-year-old quarterback should be back to full health for the start of the 2025 season, provided he steers clear of setbacks during what will be a lengthy rehab process. Though the Achilles surgery could curb Watson's rushing ability moving forward, the bigger question is whether he'll re-emerge as a starter in 2025 for the Browns or another team. He's still on the Browns' books through 2026 on a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, but Watson has hardly resembled the franchise quarterback that Cleveland thought it was getting when they acquired him in March 2022. Through his 19 career starts with Cleveland over three seasons, Watson has led the team to 9-10 record while completing 61.2 percent of his throws for 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 TD:INT to go with 465 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.

Watson is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday to repair his ruptured right Achilles' tendon, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll have the procedure overseen by Packers team physician Dr. Robert Anderson, who specializes in foot and ankle orthopedic surgeries. According to Cabot, Watson will be facing a nine-month recovery, which should put him on pace to be close to 100 percent before the start of the 2025 season. Though Watson is still on the Browns' books through the 2026 season after signing a five-year extension for $230 million guaranteed in March 2022, his poor play and inability to stay on the field over his first three seasons in Cleveland could prompt the team to go in a different direction at quarterback in 2025, even if he's fully healthy.

The Browns placed Watson (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

After Watson suffered a season-ending ruptured right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals, the Browns didn't wait long to move him off the 53-man roster to clear a spot for another quarterback in Bailey Zappe, who was signed off the Chiefs' practice squad. With Watson set to undergo surgery in the near future to address the injury, the Browns will turn the offense over to either Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) or Jameis Winston beginning with the team's Week 8 game against the Ravens. Since being traded to the Browns in March 2022 and signing a five-year, $230 million extension, Watson has made just 19 appearances and has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 TD:INT. If he experiences no complications in his recovery from surgery, the 29-year-old Watson should be cleared in advance of the 2025 season, though given his poor form over the past few seasons, it's unclear if the Browns will view him as a viable starting option.

Watson (Achilles) is done for the season after an MRI on Monday confirmed a torn Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Watson's season-ending injury during Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals puts Jameis Winston in a position to enter the starting lineup for Cleveland, though it was Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger) who suited up as the Browns' backup quarterback Sunday versus Cincinnati. After a contract restructure to create cap space in 2023 and 2024, Watson is on the books for a $46 million base salary in both of the 2025 and 2026 seasons, though it's possible that insurance for season-ending injuries could now provide the Browns with some relief. In any case, Watson faces a lengthy recovery process that could put him at risk of being unavailable early in the 2025 campaign.