CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgery Friday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, an injury that not only ended his third season with Cleveland, but casts doubt about his future with the team. The Browns said they expect the 29-year-old Watson to make a full recovery. Typically, injuries of this type require 6 to 9 months of recovery time.
The surgery was performed by Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Watson, who has not lived up to expectations since being acquired in a 2022 trade and signing a fully guaranteed, $230 million contract, got hurt in last Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.
Watson planted his right leg on a draw play when his tendon snapped. When he went down, some fans cheered. That reaction angered many of Watson's teammates.
“It was a bad moment for us as fans and spectators and custodians of the game,” defensive end Myles Garrett said after Friday's practice. “We've got to move forward and be better — all of us.” Watson's tenure with the Browns has been beset with problems.
He was suspended by the NFL for the first 11 games of 2022 for violating the league's personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston. Watson only made six starts last season before breaking a bone in his throwing shoulder and having surgery. He returned for the start of this season, but was one of the league's low.
