Getty Image / Jason Miller
The Deshaun Watson experiment in Cleveland has been an absolute disaster from the start. The franchise sold the farm to acquire and extend the troubled quarterback from the Texans prior to the 2022 season, but he’s been awful since.
Momentum and calls for his benching after a 1-5 start reached a fervor this week. While the Browns didn’t bench him or pull him during their Week 7 tilt against the Bengals, an injury made the choice for them.
Watson was actually in the midst of his best half of the season, completing 15 of his first 17 attempts for 128 yards. But, on a routine drop back in the second quarter, this happened. Take a look.
Deshaun Watson just ruptured his Achilles.
Jameis Winston is inactive today.. pic.twitter.com/QQqM57qVl1
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) October 20, 2024
I am not a doctor, but that certainly looks like an Achilles tear to me. If so, he won’t be back on the field until the beginning of the season next year.
At that point, it would be hard to see the Browns going back to Deshaun Watson Despite the quarterback having oodles of guaranteed money still owed to him, on a contract that makes him practically impossible to move in a transaction, the Browns likely will pay him to not play.
Heading into Week 7, Deshaun Watson had just 1,020 yards on 199 attempts, a truly awful mark of efficiency, His play has been uninspired, and it was clear he doesn’t give them the best chance to win .
With Jameis Winston inactive, Dorian Thompson-Robinson came into the game for the Browns.