Deshaun Watson remains one of the most polarizing figures in the NFL — once a rising star, but now facing an uncertain future. Here’s a detailed look at why he’s not playing, his career statistics, his prospects for a return, and his personal life, including his relationship status.
Why Is Deshaun Watson Not Playing?
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Severe Injury – Achilles Rupture
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Watson suffered a right Achilles tendon tear in October 2024, which ended his season.
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Unfortunately, he re-ruptured the same Achilles during his rehab, leading to a second surgery in January 2025.
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The Cleveland Browns admitted that his recovery timeline is now highly uncertain, and he could miss significant time in the 2025 season.
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Contract & Financial Implications
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To manage the cap hit associated with Watson’s hefty fully guaranteed contract, the Browns restructured his deal.
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The restructure added “void years,” giving Cleveland more financial flexibility while Watson recovers.
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Given his injury and contract, some analysts question whether the Browns will rely on him as their long-term quarterback.
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Performance & Availability Issues
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Since being traded to Cleveland in 2022, Watson has played just 19 games out of a possible 51 over three seasons — a combination of injury and suspension has limited his availability.
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During those games, his performance has been shaky, adding to doubts about his reliability as a franchise quarterback.
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Career Stats: A Snapshot of Watson’s Performance
Here’s a summary of Deshaun Watson’s NFL career statistics to date, based on his regular-season performance:
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Games Played / Started: 73 games, 72 starts
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Passing Attempts / Completions: 2,305 attempts, 1,527 completions
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Completion Percentage: ~66.2%
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Passing Yards: 17,904 yards
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Touchdowns / Interceptions: 123 touchdowns vs. 48 interceptions
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Passer Rating: Career rating of 98.8
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Rushing: 400 carries for 2,142 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns, averaging about 5.4 yards per carry.
These numbers reflect not only his dual-threat capability (passing + rushing), but also the high ceiling he showed especially in his early years.
Return Prospects: When Might Watson Be Back?
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Recovery Timeline: With a second Achilles surgery, Watson’s rehab will be more complicated. As per the Browns, his “return to play status is uncertain.”
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Team’s Position: There is speculation that even if Watson recovers, he may not regain his prior role. Some analysts guarantee he “is not playing for the Cleveland Browns again.”
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Contract Strategy: The Browns restructured his contract partly to hedge against long-term risk, indicating they are preparing for scenarios where he might remain sidelined or be phased out.
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Insurance & Cap Relief: The Browns reportedly have insurance that could reimburse a significant portion of his salary while he’s injured.
Overall, while a comeback isn’t ruled out, Watson’s future on the field is clouded — both medically and strategically for Cleveland.
Personal Life: Is Deshaun Watson Married?
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Deshaun Watson is not yet married, but he is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Jilly Anais.
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The couple went public about their engagement in 2025.
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Jilly Anais is a singer, actress, and cookbook author.
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Their relationship gained attention especially during Watson’s off-field controversies, and Anais has stood by him through legal and professional challenges.
Conclusion
Deshaun Watson’s journey in the NFL has been one of great promise but also significant setbacks. His absence from play is primarily due to a serious injury (a re-ruptured Achilles), compounded by performance inconsistency and a complex contract situation with the Browns. His career stats still show his dual-threat potential, but his return remains uncertain. On the personal front, his engagement to Jilly Anais marks a stable chapter outside football, even as his on-field future remains unclear.
