Browns address QB Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury and how they will move ahead.
Watson will have season-ending surgery to treat a fracture in his throwing shoulder.
Deshaun Watson paused at the platform on Wednesday to gather his thoughts. His 2023 season has officially ended.
“It’s very tough,” Watson added. “I’m disappointed, but I’m going to keep my head above water, stay in touch with all of the boys, and support them as much as possible. Attack the rehab process after surgery and make sure I’m doing everything I can to help the team while I’m not on the field with them, as well as preparing for the following year.”
The Browns announced Wednesday that Watson would have season-ending surgery to fix his throwing shoulder. An MRI of his right shoulder on Monday indicated a displaced fracture of the glenoid.
Following Sunday’s 33-31 victory over the Ravens, Watson informed the medical staff that he was experiencing new soreness in his right shoulder after being struck in the first half. Even though Watson finished the game on Sunday, the Browns stated that after consulting with Browns’ Head Physician James Voos, MD, and industry-leading shoulder specialist Neal ElAttrache, MD, it was determined that the injury would necessitate immediate surgical repair to avoid further structural damage. Watson was placed on the season-ending injured reserve. However, the Browns are optimistic, as Watson is projected to be fully recovered by the start of the 2024 season.
“Obviously, we are very disappointed and devastated for Deshaun, especially given all that he has battled and gone through medically this season,” Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry commented.
Berry stated that Watson’s injury is now being scheduled, and Watson expected the surgery to take place next week.
Watson has been dealing with a shoulder issue since the third week of the season, when he injured his rotator cuff against the Titans after being hit in the red zone by a quarterback keeper. He missed weeks 4 and 6 of the season. Watson began Week 7 against the Colts before taking another hit to the shoulder and was out for the rest of the game. Watson did not play in Week 8 against the Seahawks, but he returned in Week 9 to lead the Browns to victory over the Cardinals.
Watson went 14 of 14 in the second half of the Browns’ Week 10 comeback triumph over the Ravens, leading the team to victory despite suffering a fracture in his shoulder from a hit.
Berry stated that the fractured bone in his shoulder is a new injury, separate from the one he suffered to his rotator cuff, and was caused by a hit he absorbed in the second quarter of the Ravens game in Week 10.
“Deshaun told us that he took a hit,” Berry added. “It’s unclear what play it was, but he remembers taking a hit.” Again, to his credit, he didn’t even start feeling it till the second.
Berry stated that after learning of the injury and speaking with specialists, they discovered that in the rare occurrence of a thrower injuring their throwing shoulder, mobility is generally restricted. The injury usually causes so much agony that it impairs one’s ability to throw. Watson also underwent an MRI on his left ankle, which indicated a high-ankle sprain that he played with in the second half of Sunday’s game.
“For Deshaun to play, call it 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,” Berry went on to say.
Watson stated that he is still processing the information he has received regarding his injury in the last 48 hours. He attempted to promote the concept of playing the remainder of the season. He was still in amazement at the diagnosis.
“I pushed very hard for it to the point where all the experts and doctors were the ones that told me that there was no chance,” Watson said. “So I pushed as hard as I could to get back out there and just try to play and push it towards the end of the season.” But I believe that having access to urgent surgery is the best circumstance for my career’s longevity, as all of the specialists have stated. So I have to follow in their footsteps and take it from there.”
In terms of his recuperation from surgery, Watson stated that the most important aspect will be his mobility and range of motion, as well as regaining strength. Watson is hopeful that the physicians and team he will be working with during his rehabilitation will help him return to health in time for the next season.
Watson also stated that it will be vital for him to be near his teammates during his rehabilitation process, and that teammates have shown their willingness to spend time with him wherever he is rehabilitating and training.
“We’re going to have that bond,” Watson added. “The connection will always be there. My phone will constantly be on loud for those guys, and they will know they can call or come up to me whenever they are free.”
As the Browns look ahead to the rest of the season, Berry stated that they expect they will have three quarterbacks on the roster, including active and practice squad players. Berry stated that they plan to add a quarterback “at some point in the near future.”
Nonetheless, the Browns remain confident in their current quarterback room, which includes youngster Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker. They’ve utilized both quarterbacks this season since Watson lost time with his first shoulder issue. Walker started in Weeks 6 and 8, and replaced Watson in Week 7 after he was hurt in the first quarter.
Berry believes Thompson-Robinson has improved throughout the spring, through the preseason, and into the regular season. He has started one game this season, against the Ravens, and will start his second game against the Steelers in Week 11 after being named starter by head coach Kevin Stefanski on Wednesday.
“We think he’s a talented kid,” Berry stated. “He’s very smart and hard at work, and we’re delighted with his progress thus far. But we’ll definitely need all hands on deck as we move forward.”
This season, the Browns have faced a slew of ailments throughout the roster. They’ve dealt with losing RT Jack Conklin and RB Nick Chubb to season-ending injuries. They’ve dealt with the uncertainty around Watson’s shoulder issue. Throughout it all, they are focused on their goals because they are in the middle of a division race and postseason push.
While losing their franchise quarterback for the rest of the season is a setback, Berry is confidence in the organization’s ability to overcome this new challenge.
“That’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of with the group to date has been our ability to do so over the first nine games,” Berry told ESPN. “We’ll have another challenge to conquer throughout the following eight games of the season. But as a result of those experiences, we now have an organization of players, coaches, and staff with Teflon skin and cast-iron stomachs. I’m proud of that, and we’ll have to rely on it as we go on.”
