BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have announced that quarterback Deshaun Watson “will be placed on season-ending injured reserve” amid an injury that "will require immediate surgical repair."
The Browns say Watson is expected to make a full recovery for the start of the 2024 season.
On Wednesday afternoon, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced that rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start at quarterback on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
You can read the team’s full statement below…
Deshaun Watson underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Monday on two injuries sustained on different plays in the first half of Sunday's 33-31 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Imaging on his left ankle revealed a high-ankle sprain. In addition, postgame, Deshaun notified our medical staff of a new discomfort in his right shoulder that he felt after a hit in the first half. An MRI of his right shoulder revealed a displaced fracture to the glenoid. Despite performing at a high level and finishing the game, after consultation with Browns' Head Physician, James Voos, MD, and industry-leading shoulder specialist, Neal ElAttrache, MD, it has been determined that this injury will require immediate surgical repair to avoid further structural damage. Deshaun will be placed on season-ending injured reserve and a full recovery is expected for the start of the 2024 season.
WHAT IS BROWNS GM ANDREW BERRY SAYING?
“This is a completely new injury," Browns GM Andrew Berry said during a press conference Wednesday morning. "This has nothing to do with what he experienced earlier in the year. It really was the result of a hit in the second quarter of the game. This has nothing to do with the previous injury.”
He also said Watson's surgery "is in the midst of being scheduled."
"Obviously, we are very disappointed and devastated for Deshaun, 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."
Berry added that Watson's performance on Sunday against Baltimore "was just such an incredible testament to his physical and mental toughness."
"He was already playing with a high ankle sprain," Berry said. "One of the things that we’ve learned as we’ve talked to the docs over the past 48 hours is in the infrequent event that this injury occurs with a thrower in their throwing shoulder, usually it restricts the mobility, there’s so much pain that they can’t continue to throw. For Deshaun to play two and a half quarters at a really high level against one of the best defenses in the league with this injury, plus the high ankle, it really is an incredible display of physical and mental toughness on his part.”
So what's next?
“We really look at this as an incredible challenge and opportunity for our organization," Berry noted. "We have obviously gone through a lot over the first nine weeks. I think one of the things I talked about during the bye week is the ability to overcome adversity -- and specifically end-game adversity -- throughout the season. That’s probably one of the things that I’m most proud of with the group to date has been our ability to do so over the first nine games.”
The Browns currently stand at 6-3 this season after beating the Baltimore Ravens in an epic comeback victory last Sunday.
They're scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland on Sunday.