Overview
- With his 21-day window expiring on Dec. 23, Watson reverts to reserve/PUP and will cease on-field practicing while continuing indoor rehab.
- Watson logged roughly three weeks of work after Dec. 3, progressing from individual drills to limited scout-team reps and drawing positive reviews.
- Shedeur Sanders remains the starter for the final two games against the Steelers and Bengals, with Dillon Gabriel as the backup.
- Watson’s fully guaranteed deal carries an $80.7 million 2026 cap hit, and a pre–June 1 release would trigger about $131 million in dead money; multiple reports indicate he is expected to stay on the roster next year, potentially as a bridge option.
- Watson has not played since rupturing his right Achilles in October 2024 and re-tearing it in January 2025, and he has appeared in 19 games for Cleveland since arriving in 2022 under suspension- and injury-shortened seasons.