The Cleveland Browns, currently at 7-3, are among the league’s best this season. They’re fighting for the lead in the AFC North and a higher seeding in the playoffs.
Unfortunately, though, they’ve had quarterback health issues all season long. Deshaun Watson has only started six games due to multiple injuries, but now his season is over.
The Browns have fluctuated quarterbacks, and that might continue. What happened?
What Happened to Deshaun Watson?
In the Browns’ Week 10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, Watson suffered a displaced fracture in his right glenoid (located in his right shoulder) in the first half. The team announced he would undergo season-ending surgery to repair the broken bone in his throwing shoulder.
The team reported that Watson was also playing through a high ankle sprain in the comeback win. He also suffered a rotator cuff injury in his throwing arm in Week 3 vs. the Tennessee Titans. He returned from that injury in Week 7.
Prior to this season, Watson hadn’t missed a game due to injury since 2019. In his six games this season, he passed for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. He has passed for 2,217 yards, 14 TDs, and nine INTs in 12 total games as a Brown.
The Browns traded for Watson in early 2022. They acquired him from the Houston Texans in exchange for first-round picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024, along with a 2023 third-round pick and 2024 fourth-round pick.
MORE: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart
Following the trade, they also gave him a new contract. He signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract. It was an unprecedented deal that had never been done before.
In the wake of Watson’s injury, the Browns have looked to their quarterback depth and defense to win games. Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker each started two games, combining for a 2-2 record. They’ve passed for 913 yards, one touchdown, and nine interceptions.
The Browns defense, led by Myles Garrett, holds the top rank in the NFL. Their defense has been the leading factor for a majority of their wins this season.
The Browns will continue their effort for the AFC North when they face the red-hot Denver Broncos in Week 12. The Broncos are 5-5, having won four in a row. The game will kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET.
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