Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson Needs Shoulder Surgery, Out for Season

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a fracture in his throwing shoulder, the team announced on Wednesday.

According to a statement released by the Browns, an MRI on Monday revealed Watson had a displaced fracture to the glenoid in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old notified Cleveland's medical staff of discomfort in his right shoulder after a hit in the first half in Sunday's 33-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Team doctors determined the injury needed immediate surgical repair to avoid further structural damage, the Browns said.

Watson will be placed on injured reserve. The team expects him to make a full recovery and return for the start of the 2024 NFL regular season. Cleveland said the QB also suffered a left high-ankle sprain during Sunday's game.

"We are very disappointed and devastated for Deshaun," Browns' general manager, Andrew Berry, said at a press conference on Wednesday morning. "Especially given all that he has battled and gone through medically this season. Especially in light of how well he's played since his most recent injury."

This marks the latest bad news in an injury-filled season for Cleveland's starting quarterback. Watson missed time with a rotator cuff strain in his throwing shoulder earlier this year. He returned to the field two weeks ago in a win over the Arizona Cardinals, and is coming off perhaps his best game in a Browns uniform.

Watson led the Browns, who were once down 14 points down in the fourth quarter, on a game-winning field goal drive to defeat the AFC North-leading Ravens in Week 10. Watson went 14-of-14 passing with 134 passing yards, 16 rushing yards, and a touchdown in the second half of the comeback win, apparently while dealing with a high-ankle sprain and a fractured shoulder.

"Big win on the road against a very, very good team — one of the top teams in the league, one of the best defenses in the league," Watson said after the game. "I think it was overall a great opportunity, not just for me but the whole offense — but this team too."

Cleveland will likely turn to backup QB P.J. Walker in Watson's absence. Walker has thrown for 618 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions while completing 49 percent of his passes across five games this season, including two starts.

Berry said Cleveland will add another QB, to go along with Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, in light of Watson's injury.

The Browns traded a haul of draft picks, including three first-rounders, to acquire Watson in 2022, then immediately signed the QB to an unprecedented $230 million, fully guaranteed contract. But since that trade, Watson had only appeared in 12 games for the Browns. Watson was suspended for 11 games last season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women.

The Browns went 3-3 in his starts last season and 7-10 overall. Cleveland (6-3) has won five of Watson's six starts this season. The three-time Pro Bowler finishes the season with 1,115 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Cleveland hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Both teams are 6-3, currently hold Wild Card spots, and are a half-game behind the Ravens (7-3) for first place in the division.