Dion Dawkins, the Buffalo Bills’ five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle, just dropped a major statement after their joint practice with the Cleveland Browns, declaring Deshaun Watson is “still him.” Coming from a veteran who’s seen it all in the trenches, that’s some serious praise for a quarterback trying to get back to his elite form after a brutal run of injuries.
Dawkins Backs Watson’s Comeback
Dawkins didn’t just toss a casual compliment, he laid it all out. “Deshaun is still him,” he insisted. He then backed it up, saying, “If you have a line that can protect the quarterback, then the quarterback is going to thrive.” He doubled down, calling Watson “that guy” and a “baller,” even urging everyone to “let the past be the past” and move on from the “crazy picture that’s already painted.” This isn’t just a teammate hyping a guy, this is a respected opponent recognizing pure talent. Dawkins believes that when Watson plays on Saturday, he will “be balling again,” acknowledging “there’s a lot of talk going on” about the QB’s return.
From MVP Candidate to Injury Setback
Watson’s journey to this moment has been a wild ride. He joined the Browns in 2022 after building a reputation with the Houston Texans as one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks. With Houston, he snagged three Pro Bowl selections and, in 2020, even led the entire league in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating. He threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns that year, completing an incredible 70.2 percent of his passes. But his time in Cleveland has been a different story. Injuries have absolutely hammered him. He only played six games in 2023 before a shoulder injury ended his season, and then a torn Achilles in 2024 forced him to miss the entire 2025 campaign while he recovered.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, But Health Is King
Looking at his career numbers, it’s easy to see why Dawkins is so confident. In 73 NFL games, Watson has completed 1,527 of 2,305 passes for 17,904 yards, boasting a 66.2 percent completion rate and averaging 7.8 yards per attempt. He’s thrown 123 touchdowns against 48 interceptions, giving him a solid career passer rating of 98.8. Those are the stats of a legitimate star. The talent is undeniable, the ability to put up those numbers is there. However, it all comes down to his health. Watson is 30 years old, and after missing so much time, his ability to stay on the field will ultimately decide if he truly can be “that guy” again. Dawkins clearly thinks he can.
With preseason still rolling on, Watson has plenty to prove, and his health will be under the microscope. Will he get the protection Dawkins highlighted? Can he tap back into that 2020 form? The NFL world is absolutely watching to see if “the kid ball(s)” like he used to, or if the injuries have taken too much of a toll. It’s a huge storyline as the regular season gets closer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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