The Cleveland Browns announced last Monday that Quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a significant setback by re-rupturing his Achilles tendon. Watson reported to the team’s annual end of the season physical exam where he mentioned discomfort in his ankle. It was later revealed Watson recalled rolling his ankle while in Miami. Both surgeries were completed by Dr. Robert Anderson, who also operated on New York Giants Left Tackle Andrew Thomas earlier this season.
The re-rupture comes less than 3 months from the initial repair. Watson was been seen in videos posted online ambulating in sneakers just eight weeks following his initial operation. This sparked some debate and even caused insiders to speculate if Watson had violated his rehabilitation protocol therefore giving the Browns a way out of his massive $72,900,000 cap hit next season.
Traditionally, a walking boot is used for eight weeks following a repair to ensure immobilization. However, according to The Mackay Clinic guidelines a patient can be fully weight bearing in a sneaker tolerating up to 20 degrees of dorsiflexion as early as just 6 weeks. At this stage in his rehabilitation protocol Watson was likely working on closed chain ankle dorsiflexion mobilizations (20 degrees max), band resisted ankle isotonics, floor based calf raises, and progressing with single leg squats and split stance lower extremity movements as tolerated with an FADI >75%.
Watson’s career takes another hit as this likely ends his hopes of returning anytime next year. With colleagues like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins putting up poor performances following Achilles repair teams interest, if any, are seemingly spiraling. Watson has struggled to stay on the field and healthy for Cleveland, with his best years seemingly behind him in Houston. The Browns have publicly admitted changes are coming as they currently hold the 2nd overall pick in this years draft. Cleveland is favored to draft a quarterback this year and start the process of turning a new page.
