Former Tiger Deshaun Watson derailed by injury for the second consecutive season

Former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson's 2024 season is over. Per a report from CBS, Watson's MRI on Monday showed a torn ACL. This is the second season in a row that the nine-year veteran's season was cut short due to an injury.

The injury happened in the second quarter of the Browns' loss to Cincinnati. Watson dropped back for a QB draw play. But when planted to run, he immediately fell to the ground, clutching his right leg. His season similarly ended in 2023, but that time for a fracture in his arm. In his three years with Cleaveland, Watson has played no more than seven games a season after suffering injuries or from finishing a suspension.

Head coach Dabo Swinney reached out to his former QB, offering Watson some encouragement. “I absolutely reached out to him and just tried to encourage him and lift him up,” Swinney said during a Zoom call with the media. “And just praying for him.”

Swinney talked about Watson's setbacks lately, but he has confidence that Brown's QB will make a comeback. “It’s tough because he was just starting to find his rhythm again,” said Swinney. “But setbacks happen. You can’t let them keep you down. You’ve got to bounce back, and I know he will."

“He’s still young. He’s got a lot of football left. I mean, look at Aaron Rodgers, he’s about 40 and coming back from a torn Achilles,” said Swinney.

According to the CBS report, Watson could be back under center as soon as week one in 2025. However, his return depends on the success of his surgery and rehab.