CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson may have suffered a devastating season-ending Achilles injury during Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. While the full extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed concern, suggesting that Watson’s Achilles injury doesn’t look good.
“Obviously, it doesn’t look good with the injury,” Stefanski said after the game. “I’ll be calling him soon, but it’s disappointing for Deshaun and for us as a team. Losing any player is tough, especially someone who works as hard as he does. It’s just heartbreaking.”
The Injury Incident
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter on a non-contact play when Watson’s leg appeared to hyperextend. As Watson tried to scramble on the first snap after the two-minute warning, he attempted to give himself up and fell to the ground immediately. Watson’s reaction was instant, indicating that something was seriously wrong.
Within moments, medical personnel were on the field, and Watson was visibly emotional as he was carted off. The entire Browns sideline came onto the field to support their injured teammate, recognizing the gravity of the situation. Shortly after Watson’s departure, the Browns officially ruled him out of the game.
Fan Reactions Stir Controversy
Adding to the emotional tension, some Browns fans were seen cheering when Watson went down. This reaction sparked frustration and anger from players and coaches alike. Watson, who has faced a turbulent relationship with Cleveland fans, was met with boos during pregame introductions. However, those boos quickly faded when the crowd erupted in cheers for the return of running back Nick Chubb, who made his first appearance of the season following a major knee injury last year.
Defensive end Myles Garrett strongly condemned the actions of those fans who cheered Watson’s injury. “We don’t boo players who are injured, especially when the cart comes out,” Garrett said. “As Browns fans, we should be ashamed of ourselves for cheering at someone’s downfall. It’s not right.”
Coach Stefanski echoed those sentiments, stating, “I don’t think it’s ever OK to cheer when someone’s hurt. It may not be everyone in the stadium, but that behavior is disappointing.”
Backup Quarterbacks Step In
With Watson out of the game, the Browns turned to their backup quarterbacks. Jameis Winston, who had been designated as the emergency third quarterback, was inactive, leaving second-year player Dorian Thompson-Robinson to take over. Thompson-Robinson, however, struggled to find his footing, completing just 11 of 24 passes for 82 yards and throwing two interceptions.
As if Watson’s injury wasn’t enough, Thompson-Robinson sustained a finger injury late in the fourth quarter, forcing the Browns to bring in Winston. The veteran quarterback fared slightly better, completing 5 of 11 passes for 67 yards, including a touchdown pass to tight end David Njoku.
Despite the rough day for both quarterbacks, Stefanski remained noncommittal about who would start in next week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. He explained that the decision would depend on the severity of Thompson-Robinson’s finger injury and other factors in the days ahead.
A Tough Season for Watson
Deshaun Watson’s injury caps off what has already been a challenging season for the Browns’ quarterback. In his third season with Cleveland, Watson has struggled to recapture the form that made him one of the NFL’s elite passers earlier in his career. He entered Sunday’s game with the lowest QBR (Quarterback Rating) among all qualified passers this season. Prior to his injury, Watson completed 15 of 17 passes for 128 yards against the Bengals.
Watson’s performance this season has been plagued by inconsistency, but Stefanski had stood by his quarterback despite Cleveland’s rough 1-5 start to the season. Stefanski repeatedly insisted that Watson gave the team the best chance to win, even as doubts about his long-term future mounted.
A History of Injuries
This latest injury isn’t Watson’s first significant setback. The quarterback has battled serious injuries throughout his football career, both in college and the NFL. At Clemson University, Watson famously played through a torn ACL in his left knee. Then, as a rookie with the Houston Texans in 2017, Watson tore the ACL in his right knee, ending his season after just seven games.
In addition to leg injuries, Watson also dealt with a serious shoulder injury last season. A displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder required surgery and forced him to miss the final eight games of the 2023 season.
Despite these injuries, the Browns invested heavily in Watson. In 2022, Cleveland traded three first-round picks to acquire him from the Houston Texans and signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, one of the largest in NFL history. However, Watson’s tenure with the Browns has been marred by off-field controversies and inconsistent on-field performance.
Watson served an 11-game suspension during the 2022 season after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Though he returned to the field in late 2022, he has yet to regain his elite form.
What’s Next for the Browns?
With Deshaun Watson potentially out for the season, the Browns face an uphill battle as they look to salvage their season. The team still owes Watson $46 million annually over the next two years, with a massive salary cap hit of $72.9 million in 2025.
The focus now turns to the backup quarterbacks. While Winston has more experience, Thompson-Robinson offers potential for growth, though both struggled in limited action against the Bengals. Stefanski and his staff will need to make a critical decision on who will lead the team moving forward, especially as they prepare for a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
In the meantime, the Browns will await the results of Watson’s tests to confirm the severity of his Achilles injury. If the worst is confirmed, Watson’s third season in Cleveland will come to an abrupt and disappointing end, adding another chapter to his difficult tenure with the Browns.
For the fans, the frustration continues to mount as the team faces uncertainty at quarterback once again. And for Watson, another injury could raise questions about his long-term durability and future in the NFL.