Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgery on Friday to fix a ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury that not only ended his third season with Cleveland but also raised questions about his future with the team.
The Browns stated they expect the 29-year-old Watson to fully recover. Typically, injuries like this need about 6 to 9 months of recovery time.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Bob Anderson, a specialist in foot and ankle surgery, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Watson has not met expectations since being traded in 2022 and signing a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. He got injured in last Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati when he planted his right leg during a draw play, causing the tendon to snap.
When he went down, some fans cheered, which upset many of Watson’s teammates. “It was a bad moment for us as fans and spectators and custodians of the game,” defensive end Myles Garrett said after Friday’s practice. “We’ve got to move forward and be better — all of us.”
Watson’s time with the Browns has faced many issues.
He was suspended by the NFL for the first 11 games of 2022 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston.
Last season, Watson only started six games before breaking a bone in his throwing shoulder and needing surgery. He returned for the start of this season but was one of the league’s lowest-rated passers through six games, contributing to a struggling Cleveland offense.
The Browns, who have lost five straight games, are the only team that has not scored 20 points in a game.
Watson’s performance and his recent injury might push the team to select a quarterback early in next year’s draft. The Browns finally have a first-round pick after trading three to the Texans in a significant trade. Cleveland also owes Watson $46 million for each of the next two seasons.
This week against Baltimore, Watson will be replaced by backup Jameis Winston, who joined the Browns as a free agent in March to provide them with an experienced option. The team did not bring back Joe Flacco, who led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023.
Starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. will miss Sunday’s game against the Ravens due to a knee injury. Wills didn’t practice this week and was ruled out by coach Kevin Stefanski. The Browns have been rearranging their offensive line all season because of injuries.
Stefanski mentioned that Wills hurt the same knee he had surgery on in December.
With Wills out, the Browns (1-6) will need to adjust the offensive line again, and Stefanski confirmed that one option is moving right tackle Dawand Jones to the left side.
Jones started the first five games at right tackle while Jack Conklin recovered from knee surgery. Conklin, a two-time All-Pro, was injured in last year’s season opener and returned to play two weeks ago.
The Browns expect to have right guard Wyatt Teller back, who missed the last four games due to a knee injury. Teller is one of the league’s best run blockers and was designated to return from injured reserve, practicing all week.
Stefanski said second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will back up Winston against the Ravens. Thompson-Robinson came in after Watson got hurt but injured the middle finger on his throwing hand during a sack.
The Browns signed quarterback Bailey Zappe earlier this week from Kansas City’s practice squad.
