Season-Ending Injury for Browns’ Quarterback Deshaun Watson

Watson’s Ruptured Achilles Confirmed by MRI

On Monday, an MRI confirmed a devastating injury for the Cleveland Browns – quarterback Deshaun Watson has suffered a season-ending rupture of his right Achilles tendon. After the Browns 21-14 defeat to the Bengals on Sunday, Coach Kevin Stefanski had hinted at a season-ending injury for Watson.

Watson’s Injury- The Unfortunate Event

Watson sustained the injury in a non-contact play where his leg seemed to hyperextend as he attempted to run with the ball immediately after the two-minute warning. He quickly surrendered and fell to the ground. Soon after, the medical cart arrived and an understandably emotional Watson was carried away. His team showed solidarity by coming onto the field as he was placed on the cart.

Fans Rebuked for Cheering Post Injury

Several players condemned the fans who seemed to cheer following Watson’s injury. Despite being met with boos during pregame introductions, the cheers quickly shifted to running back Nick Chubb, making his season debut post a severe knee injury. Myles Garrett, defensive end, criticized the fans post-match. He said, “We don’t boo guys that are injured on the field, especially when the cart comes out. We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall.” Stefanski echoed the sentiment, stating that cheering when an injury occurs is never acceptable.

Replacement Quarterbacks Step In

With Jameis Winston being inactive as the emergency third quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a second-year player, stepped in to replace Watson. He completed 11 out of 24 passes for 82 yards and two interceptions but suffered a finger injury in the fourth quarter. Winston then stepped in, passing for 67 yards and one touchdown to David Njoku. Stefanski considered both Thompson-Robinson and Winston as second quarterbacks, opting for Thompson-Robinson due to a lack of a short-yardage package with Winston in the game plan.

The Future of the Browns’ Quarterback Position

Stefanski is yet to commit to a starting quarterback for the next game against the Baltimore Ravens, pending the assessment of Thompson-Robinson’s injury. Watson, who is in his third season with the Browns, has had a challenging season with the lowest QBR among all qualified passers. He managed 15 out of 17 for 128 yards on Sunday before the unfortunate injury. This marks another disappointing season for Watson, who was acquired by the Browns for three first-round picks with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.

Watson’s Football Career: A Journey Marked by Injuries and Controversy

A New Beginning in Cleveland Before 2022

Watson inked a contract with Cleveland, marking a new beginning for his career prior to the 2022 season. Unfortunately, his journey was marred by a displaced fracture in the glenoid of his right shoulder, forcing him to sit out the last eight matches after undergoing a season-ending surgery in November.

Watson’s History of Injuries

At the age of 29, Watson has endured a string of severe leg injuries during his time in college football and the NFL. Remarkably, he persevered through a torn ACL in his left knee during his tenure at Clemson. Furthermore, as a Houston Texans player, he faced another setback when he tore the ACL in his right knee, causing him to miss the final nine matches of his debut year in 2017.

Contractual Obligations and Suspension

Watson is set to complete the third year of his five-year agreement, which was signed when he was traded from the Texans to the Browns. Despite only making 19 starts in total, Watson found himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. He was handed an 11-game suspension in 2022 following allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior during massage sessions by over two dozen women.

Financial Commitments and Future Outlook

Despite the controversies, the Browns are contractually obliged to pay Watson $46 million for each of the upcoming seasons. His salary cap hit stands at a hefty $72.9 million for the year 2025.