The Cleveland Browns sit at 3-12 and have lost four straight games entering Week 17, placing the team well outside of playoff contention and firmly in line for a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has started the last five games and, through Week 16, has totaled 1,103 passing yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions, while adding 123 rushing yards and a rushing score, producing a 67.5 passer rating.
His play has included a breakout 364-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, followed by several uneven outings, including the Browns’ latest loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Buffalo defeated Cleveland 23–20, with Sanders completing 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while also leading the team in rushing with four carries for 49 yards.
Despite the recent losing skid and Sanders’ uneven play, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Tuesday that the Browns will not activate Watson to the 53-man roster before his 21-day practice window expires.
Watson will therefore revert to reserve/PUP status for the remainder of the season and will not play in 2025.
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Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans, was acquired by Cleveland in 2023 on a fully guaranteed five-year, $230M contract.
The deal (and later restructures) leaves substantial guaranteed money and an $80.7 million cap hit for the Browns for 2026.
Watson tore his Achilles tendon in October 2024, underwent surgery, then suffered a re-rupture that required a second procedure in early 2025.
The Browns designated him to return to practice on December 3, opening a 21-day practice window, but with him not being activated before the window expired, he will now turn his focus toward a return for the 2026 NFL season.
For Cleveland, the decision provides two remaining opportunities to evaluate Sanders while preserving Watson’s contract status and ongoing medical recovery.
The Browns’ remaining schedule features a Week 17 home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by a season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
