Deshaun Watson injury: Browns quarterback carted off field with Achilles injury
Cleveland Browns (1-5) quarterback Deshaun Watson was carted off the field after suffering an Achilles injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s Week 7 home contest against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4).
The injury was non-contact, occurring as Watson attempted to take off from the pocket. As Watson took off, his right Achilles appeared to pop, signifying the serious nature of the injury. Watson was in tears as he was carted off the field.
Second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson has replaced Watson under center. Cleveland made backup quarterback Jameis Winston a healthy scratch for the game.
Watson, 29, is in his third year with the Browns after signing a then record five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract after coming over in a trade from the Houston Texans (5-1). The three-time Pro Bowler has hardly looked the like the quarterback he was in Houston, especially this season.
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He entered Sunday’s game having thrown for 1,020 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions on 61.3% passing. His 21.3 QBR is the lowest of any starting quarterback in the NFL. The Browns own the league’s worst offense, averaging just 240.2 yards per game and 15.8 points per game.
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Much of Watson’s tenure in Cleveland has been clouded by off-field drama. In 2021 and ’22, 26 lawsuits were filed accusing Watson of sexual misconduct and harassment. Watson, who sat out the entirety of the 2021 season after the allegations arose, was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 campaign and fined $5 million for violating the league’s Personal Conduct Policy. He was sued in September in Houston for alleged sexual assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, said earlier this month his client’s claim against Watson was settled confidentially.