Browns Rumors: Deshaun Watson to Explore 'Aaron Rodgers' Surgery on Achilles Injury

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is examining his surgical options after rupturing his Achilles in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

Cabot reported Monday that Watson is "currently exploring the 'speed bridge' technique that Watson's shoulder surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, used on Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to get him back in practice within a remarkable 77 days."

While a member of the Los Angeles Rams, running back Cam Akers also had the SpeedBridge surgery. He tore his Achilles in July 2021 and was back on the field by January 2022. Akers ran for 172 yards on 67 carries during the Rams' Super Bowl run.

Regardless of what route he chooses, a ruptured Achilles will end Watson's season.

Akers set a new standard in terms of his recovery from a major Achilles injury, but his timeline of five and a half months would carry Watson beyond the remainder of the schedule. And for as much as Rodgers bucked conventional wisdom by returning to practice so soon, he still didn't suit up again in 2023 after going down in Week 1.

Rodgers' performance hasn't dispelled the larger questions over how his Achilles tear might affect him once he was healthy, either. Though seven games, he has thrown for 1,663 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he's fighting through an ankle sprain on the same leg where he had the Achilles injury.

Maybe Watson will manage to shave a few months off his offseason rehab, but the rupture itself will only reinforce the idea the 29-year-old's best days are behind him on the gridiron.