Deshaun Watson left the Cleveland Browns’ Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday on the back of a cart.
The quarterback, who looked emotional as he left the field, is feared to be suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. Adam Schefter.
The under-fire NFL star went down on the grass with a non-contact injury with just over a minute left in the second quarter.
Shocking replays appeared to show the signal caller’s right calf muscle popping, which is often an indicator of an Achilles injury.
There are fears Watson has ruptured his Achilles tendon – a similar injury to the one Aaron Rodgers suffered in his New York Jets debut last season – which could rule him out for the season.
Deshaun Watson left the Cleveland Browns’ Week 7 game against the Cincinnati Bengals
It was yet another blow to Watson, who struggled during a miserable 1-5 start to the season for the Browns.
Watson, who is in his fourth year with the Browns after signing a fully guaranteed $240 million contract, endured merciless cheering from his own fan base during his game introduction.
The audible bickering came a week after Watson managed to complete just 16 of his 23 passing attempts for 168 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Watson’s abysmal performance — including a defiant walk-off during the Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders — led to calls for the signal caller to be banished to the bench.
However, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski insisted he stick with Watson as his starting quarterback over Jameis Winston.
But the coach had no choice but to resort to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the team’s third quarterback, following Watson’s departure after Winston was listed as inactive earlier in the day.
Watson was traded to the Browns in 2022 for six draft picks, including three first rounders, despite being sued by more than two dozen female massage therapists for sexual harassment and assault the year before.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam then handed Watson a five-year extension worth $230 million, all guaranteed, through 2022.
The quarterback went onto the field with just over a minute left in the second quarter
The signal caller was examined by medical personnel after appearing to suffer an Achilles injury
Watson has been embroiled in several lawsuits over the past three seasons, previously reaching confidential settlements with 20 women over sexual misconduct lawsuits that saw him suspended for 11 NFL games in the 2022 season.
Last month it was revealed that he has been sued for over a million dollars by a new woman, who has accused him of sexually assaulting her in Texas four years ago. Watson ‘strongly’ denies the allegations.
Meanwhile, bizarre scenes unfolded on the field during Week 5, when Watson defiantly walked off mid-match.
Stefanski was left in disbelief at his own quarterback as Watson left the huddle and headed to the sideline during the third quarter.
Trailing by 21 on 4th and goal, the head coach made the call to keep the offense on the field in a desperate attempt for Cleveland to claw its way back into the game.
Moments later, however, Watson was off the field and the Browns had resorted to a field goal.
It was yet another blow for Watson, who was struggling after a miserable 1-5 start
Watson appeared to challenge his coach, who took off his headphones in frustration before covering his mouth and speaking to his quarterback.
Many NFL fans on social media accused the 29-year-old of effectively quitting his team.
Later, Stefanski explained that it was a blunder by the Browns that led to Watson leaving the field.
“We had the wrong number of people in the group, and at that point we just wanted to kick the field goal,” he said.
More to follow.