The Browns have made a decision on Deshaun Watson.

The former Clemson standout will be named Cleveland’s starting quarterback, according to multiple reports. Watson has been competing with Shaduer Sanders throughout the preseason.

That means Watson will face off with another Clemson legend in Week 1, as Cleveland is set to open on the road against Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13.

Watson led Clemson to a national title in 2016, while Lawrence led the Tigers to one in 2018.

Watson has not played in an NFL game since he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear during Cleveland’s Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20, 2024. Less than three months after his initial tear, Watson tore his Achilles for the second time and underwent a second surgery in January 2025 to repair it, forcing him to miss the entire 2025 season. He also underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in November 2023.

Watson played in just six games in his first season with Cleveland in 2022 after having to serve a suspension and then was limited to just six games in 2023, seven in 2024 and zero in 2025 due to the season-ending injuries. However, despite all the injury setbacks, the 30-year-old said in June that he is “fully healthy” again.

In 19 total games for the Browns, Watson has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,365 yards and 19 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

A three-time Pro Bowler during his time with the Houston Texans, Watson has a 66.2 completion percentage for his career with 17,904 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns with 48 interceptions in 73 career games with the Texans and Browns since being selected by Houston in the first round (12th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Gavin Oliver contributed to this story