Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson sustained a right Achilles injury during a non-contact play in Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The severity of the injury and the expected recovery timeline remain unclear, but it comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the $230 million contract Watson signed in 2022.
The injury occurred while Watson was in possession of the ball, leading him to fall to the ground and requiring assistance off the field.
Watson, who is 29, has faced challenges while leading the struggling Browns, currently with a record of 1-6 in 2024. His performance has seen him ranked last among all statistically qualified quarterbacks for adjusted total QB ratings.
Off the field, Watson’s season has been tumultuous as well. Recently, a woman in Texas known by the pseudonym Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against him for sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress related to an alleged incident dating back to 2020. Watson and the accuser reached an out-of-court settlement a couple of weeks prior.
While Watson’s employment contract is not publicly accessible, reports indicate that it includes clauses that might allow the Browns to terminate the agreement due to off-field misconduct. The recent settlement in the Jane Doe case, which includes confidentiality provisions, poses challenges for the NFL— which previously suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million for conduct detrimental— in gathering sufficient evidence to impose further punishment, or for the Browns to try to void the contract.
Although specifics of Watson’s contract are unavailable for review, it is generally understood that contractual guarantees are honored if a player remains on the roster or is released due to injury. Many players in the league can recover from Achilles injuries, with notable examples including quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins, though they faced extended recovery periods. Watson’s guaranteed contract stipulations will likely remain intact as he undergoes rehabilitation for his injury.
Furthermore, as noted in discussions regarding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s recent concussion, guarantees may be at risk if a player retires after being medically cleared.