Deshaun Watson: Cleveland Browns quarterback to miss rest of NFL season with Achilles injury
Deshaun Watson suffered a right Achilles injury on a non-contact play during Cleveland Browns' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday; Watson was carted off the field and will now miss the remainder of the campaign
Monday 21 October 2024 16:24, UK
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will miss the rest of the 2024 NFL season after he was carted off in tears with an Achilles injury during the first half of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson went down without being touched during a play with less than 90 seconds left of the first half, where the Browns were trailing 7-0 after the Bengals had returned the opening kick-off 100 yards for a remarkable touchdown.
The 29-year-old dropped back to pass at the Cincinnati 21-yard line but - when he planted his foot - his right leg buckled and he fell to the ground, with Watson immediately putting his hands on his head as he lay on the field.
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Cleveland's training staff rushed out to assist him and were soon joined by all of the Browns as well as the Bengals, who came over from their sideline to surround Watson and offer their support.
Watson - whose arrival in Cleveland split the fanbase - pulled a towel over his head and was visibly upset as fans applauded him being driven off the field, with the Browns confirming shortly after half-time that he had injured his Achilles tendon and would not return.
Watson's season over
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Sunday that Watson would undergo more testing to determine the full extent of the injury, but admitted it looked like a season-ending issue.
Tests on Monday have now confirmed a torn Achilles that will keep Watson out for the rest of the campaign, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.
Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230m contract in 2022. He was suspended 11 games by the NFL in his first year with Cleveland, while his second season was cut short after just six starts because of a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Watson has played poorly this season, leading to calls for coach Stefanski to bench him, with the quarterback booed during pre-game introductions at the Huntington Bank Field.
Before getting hurt, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards and was sacked twice. Second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced him, having been Watson's back-up for the first time this season ahead of Jameis Winston.
What's next?
Week Eight will see the Jaguars return to EverBank Stadium as they host Jordan Love's Green Bay Packers, while the Patriots are back at home in an all-AFC East match-up against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
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