Browns announce QB Deshaun Watson to undergo season-ending surgery for shoulder injury

In a surprising bit of news this week, the Cleveland Browns announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.

In a statement released by Cleveland and posted to Twitter by Adam Schefter, the Browns noted that an MRI of Watson’s shoulder revealed a “displaced fracture to the glenoid.” They added that the injury requires immediate surgery and that surgery will take Watson out for the rest of the season.

Here is the full statement from the Browns on Watson’ situation:

“Deshaun Watson underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Monday on two injuries sustained on different plays in the first half of Sunday’s 33-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Imagining on his left ankle revealed a high-ankle sprain. In addition, postgame, Deshaun notified our medical staff of a new discomfort in his right shoulder that he felt after a hit in the first half. An MRI of his right shoulder revealed a displaced fracture to the glenoid.

“Despite performing at a high level and finishing the game, after consultation with Browns’ Head Physician, James Voos, MD, and industry-leading shoulder specialist Neal El Attrache, MD, it has been determined that this injury will require immediate surgical repair to avoid further structural damage. Deshaun will be placed on season-ending reserve and a full recovery is expected for the start of the 2024 season.”

A real bummer for the Browns after their strong start to the season. Now that their QB1 is gone, PJ Walker will step into a familiar role as the interim starting quarterback — a role he’s occupied already at times for this Cleveland team, as well as for last year’s Carolina Panthers club.

The real interesting development at backup QB is who the Browns traded away ahead of the season. Back during the preseason, Josh Dobbs was a member of the Browns QB room but was dealt to Arizona for a fifth round pick in late August. Well, he’d go on to start for the Cardinals for several games before he was starting to jeopardize their tanking effort a little too much and was subsequently traded again to Minnesota.

With Kirk Cousins down and the Vikings surging, Dobbs stepped right in and kept the wins coming, scoring victories in his first two starts and without Justin Jefferson. Man, do the Browns regret dealing him away now, huh?