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Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson has successful surgery to repair torn Achilles tendon
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- Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson has successful surgery to repair torn Achilles tendon
BEREA — Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's surgery to repair his torn right Achilles tendon on Friday was a success, the team announced.
"QB Deshaun Watson underwent successful surgery today to repair his ruptured right Achilles tendon," the Browns said in a statement. "The surgery was performed by Dr. Bob Anderson, a foot and ankle specialist in Charlotte, N.C., and a full recovery is expected."
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The typical recovery time frame from Achilles surgery is nine months. That would align with the end of July, which is right when the Browns would be opening training camp next season.
The quarterback has two years remaining on a fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract.
"I mean, I feel terrible," said quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson , who initially replaced Watson after the injury. "I mean, everybody in this locker room does. We feel for him. Shot him a text after the game, just checking up on him, make sure he's good. I know with what he's dealing with right now, it took him a couple days to respond, but we chopped it up. He's doing well. He's in good spirits. Definitely sending my prayers up for him today, though."
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is checked on by medical staff after an injury during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Watson suffered the non-contact injury with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's game. The quarterback took a snap out of the shotgun and went to run forward on an apparent designed run from the Bengals 21.
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As Watson took his second step and planted his right foot, his calf appeared to buckle. He stumbled to the ground about two yards behind the line of scrimmage and immediately grabbed his lower right leg.
Medical personnel worked on Watson for a few minutes, but the cart was quickly summoned to take him back to the locker room. It was during the initial moments after he went down that some in the crowd initially cheered, which drew a strong rebuke postgame from other Browns players.
Defensive end Myles Garrett was one of the most vocal of Watson's teammates about the fans. He was asked Friday if he thought those cheers were reflective of all of the fans.
"Of course not, but I mean it was a bad moment for us as fans and as spectators of the game and custodians of the game," Garrett said. "None of us really stand for that. We want to be appreciative for everyone who steps forward in our colors and on the field. And got to move forward and be better, all of us."
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Thompson-Robinson played until deep in the fourth quarter, when he left the game with a finger injury. Jameis Winston , who was demoted to the No. 3 emergency quarterback for Sunday's game, led the Browns to a touchdown on his only possession.
Winston was named by head coach Kevin Stefanski as the start for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens . Thompson-Robinson's finger injury has healed enough for him to be the backup, while recently-signed Bailey Zappe will be the emergency No. 3 quarterback.
"Yeah, I won't cease praying for him," Winston said of Watson. "I know the mental strain that that is when you are done for a season, especially all the work that you put in for that season. But we going to continue to lift them up throughout the year regardless."
It's the latest setback in what has become an annual occurrence for the quarterback since Cleveland acquired him in a trade with the Houston Texans on March 18, 2022. Watson has not played in more than seven games in any season since the trade, either because of suspension or injuries.
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Watson was suspended 11 games in 2022 for NFL personal conduct policy violations in connection with more than two dozen lawsuits by women in the Houston area alleging sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct during massage appointments. He missed 11 games last season because of multiple shoulder injuries.
Watson finishes the season 137 of 216 (63.4%) passing for 1,148 yards with five touchdowns, three interceptions and a 79.0 passer rating. He was sacked 33 times, the fourth-highest total since he was drafted by the Texans in 2017 out of Clemson University.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deshaun Watson's surgery on ruptured Achilles tendon a success
