As Deshaun Watson tucked the ball and fell without being touched, some Browns fans cheered. For the wrong reasons.
Cleveland’s controversial quarterback, who has split the fan base since joining the team two years ago, appears to have suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during the first half of a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
This is yet another surprising turn in Watson’s time with the Browns, who thought they were signing a franchise quarterback when they gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022. Now, everything is up in the air.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who has supported Watson this season despite his inconsistent play, hasn’t officially ruled him out for the season. However, it seems likely that the 29-year-old will miss the rest of the year.
“That’s what it looks like,” Stefanski said. Watson’s leg gave out on a non-contact play while he was trying to pass with 1:26 left in the half. As he planted his foot, his calf seemed to shake, and he fell to the ground.
The troubled Watson, whose time in Cleveland has been filled with off-field issues, injuries, and poor performance, covered his head with a towel as he was taken off the field. Both the Browns and Bengals players came together to show their support.
Initially, some boos were heard before fans understood how serious Watson’s injury was. Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett was upset that some fans cheered when Watson fell.
“Whether it’s an opponent that goes down or one of our own, we don’t boo,” Garrett said. “We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall — could be a season-altering, career-altering injury.”
“The man is not perfect. He doesn’t need to be. None of us are expected to be perfect. Can’t judge him for what he does off the field or on the field because I can’t throw stones from my glass house. But we need to do better.”
Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter as the Bengals (3-4) ended a six-game losing streak in Cleveland. Although he has played well against most teams, Burrow had struggled against the Browns, coming in with a record of 1-5 overall and 0-3 on the road.
Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for an 18-yard touchdown, and six minutes later he found Tee Higgins for a 25-yard score. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 181 yards.
“Big win,” Burrow said. “But it’s just one. We’re 3-4 now. Great teams find ways to win and I think we’ve got a chance to be a great team. We’re not there yet.”
Watson has been a controversial figure since the Browns (1-6) traded three first-round draft picks to Houston for him. He was suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault during massage therapy sessions.
Last year, Watson made six starts and showed some flashes of his Pro Bowl talent with the Texans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
The 29-year-old has not played well for most of this season, but the Browns have continued to support him.
Before he got hurt, Watson completed 15 of 17 passes for 128 yards. He was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who moved ahead of Jameis Winston on the depth chart this week. Thompson-Robinson finished 11 of 24 for 82 yards and threw two interceptions before leaving with a finger injury.
Winston played the final 3:43 and threw a touchdown pass to David Njoku, followed by a 2-point conversion to Cedric Tillman. Like Garrett, Winston was upset about the fans’ reaction.
“I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years,” Winston said. “He put his body and life on the line for this city every single day. Regardless of your perception, regardless of what you thought should happen with him, he committed every single day that I’ve been here to be the best that he can be for this team.”
Charlie Jones returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for the Bengals, who have won three of their last four games after starting the season with three losses.
Watson’s injury occurred as the Browns welcomed running back Nick Chubb back, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last season. Chubb ran for a 1-yard touchdown just after Watson went out.
Chubb received a loud cheer when he ran from the tunnel during pregame introductions, right after the struggling Watson was booed before Cleveland’s first home game in three weeks.
“I was so happy for him to get a touchdown, his first game back, and I know how much the fans love him,” Winston said. “I heard those ‘Chubb, Chubb, Chubb,’ and we need more of that.” The Bengals were ahead 7-0 before Burrow even had a chance to touch the ball.
Jones caught the opening kick at his goal line, found a path at Cleveland’s 25, made a cut to the right, and was gone. He nearly got caught at the 10-yard line but kept his balance and tumbled into the end zone.
This was only the third kick return of his career. He had a punt return for 81 yards for a touchdown last season as a rookie against Baltimore.
Jones’ touchdown was the longest return this season and the third since the new kickoff rule was put in place.
