Why isn’t Deshaun Watson playing for the Browns against the Ravens in week 8?

This week’s Ravens-Browns matchup has a heavy edge in Baltimore’s favor.

The Ravens are formidable favorites against the Cleveland team that is just starting to adjust to life without Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson has had a successful Achilles tendon surgery

Watson had successful surgery on Friday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. With no complications, the 29-year-old quarterback is expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2025 season, barring any setbacks during rehab.

While the surgery may impact his rushing ability, the key question is whether he will start in 2025 for the Browns or another team. He is under contract with the Browns through 2026 on a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal.

In 19 starts with Cleveland over three seasons, Watson has a 9-10 record. He has completed 61.2% of his passes for an average of 6.0 yards per attempt and a 19:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has also rushed for 465 yards and three touchdowns. Nevertheless, his slow decision-making often led to short passes, while deep throws tended to be overthrown.

Watson’s season-ending injury has allowed Browns fans to see Jameis Winston under center, a change expected to bring a more aggressive approach to the Browns’ offense.

With Jameis Winston, the Browns return to more of that gunslinger mentality — a guy who isn’t afraid to rip 15- to 20-yard passes on every given play. While Winston is regarded as a more confident thrower than Watson, his addition may not be enough to overcome a Ravens team known for its offensive prowess.

Baltimore’s offense has been unstoppable this season, with quarterback Lamar Jackson proving his critics wrong by leading the NFL’s top offensive unit. Last week, he passed for over 300 yards, showcasing the team’s versatility. While Cleveland’s defense may struggle to contain him for all four quarters, their strength could help keep them competitive early in the game.