After the Browns’ Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Kevin Stefanski informed reporters that there is concern Deshaun Watson may have torn his Achilles during the first half. The injury occurred when Watson dropped back to pass with the Browns trailing 7-0 in the second quarter. After releasing the ball, he collapsed and stayed down for a while before being carted off the field in tears. Watson had completed 15 of 17 passes for 128 yards, making it his best start of the season, amplifying the impact of the injury.
Watson’s season has been tumultuous. Despite his off-field controversies, his on-field performance has also been among the league’s worst. He needed a strong showing in Week 7, especially against a division rival like the Bengals, to not only boost his confidence but also revitalize the struggling Browns offense. Now, with Watson sidelined for the rest of the season, Cleveland will likely lean on its backup quarterbacks and running back Nick Chubb to carry the offense forward.
This injury raises significant questions for the Browns’ front office, for Watson, and for next year’s draft. Could that have been Watson’s last snap with the team? With a deep pool of quarterback talent in the upcoming draft, the Browns may look to secure a new franchise quarterback, as it’s clear the offense needs more than just a temporary fix.
QB1 moving forward might have been decided in garbage time
Though he wasn’t designated as the backup quarterback in Week 7, Jameis Winston made an impact in his limited snaps. While not particularly efficient, he connected with tight end David Njoku for a touchdown and nearly sparked a late-game comeback with only a few minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Winston, a seasoned veteran who has been on the bench for some time, appears to be the most logical choice to start next week against the Baltimore Ravens, rather than turning to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who struggled in his relief of Deshaun Watson.
Facing Baltimore will be no easy task. The Ravens are one of the top teams in the AFC North, and the Browns would need a near-flawless performance to stay competitive. However, with Winston potentially starting and Nick Chubb finding his rhythm after his Week 7 return, Cleveland may finally be able to break the 20-point barrier and give Baltimore a real challenge in Week 8.
