The Browns lose QB Deshaun Watson to an Achilles tendon injury and fall to the Bengals 21-14

CLEVELAND (AP) — When Deshaun Watson tucked the ball under his arm and collapsed untouched, some Browns fans cheered.

For the wrong reasons.

Cleveland's polarizing quarterback, who has divided the team's fan base since his arrival two years ago, suffered an apparent season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the first half of a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

It's another stunning twist in Watson's tenure with the Browns, who believed they were getting a franchise quarterback when they signed him to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022.

Now everything is uncertain.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who has stuck with Watson this season despite his inconsistent play, has not officially ruled out the QB for the rest of the season. But all signs point to the 29-year-old being out for the rest of the year.

“That’s what it looks like,” Stefanski said.

Watson's Leg crumpled during a non-contact game when he dropped back to pass with 1:26 left before halftime. While planting, Watson's calf appeared to tremble before giving up and falling onto the grass.

The ailing Watson, whose two-plus seasons with Cleveland were marked by off-field problems, injuries and poor play, covered his head with a towel as he was carted away. While he was on the ground, the Browns and Bengals left their sidelines to surround him and offer him support.

There were a few boos at first before fans realized the severity of Watson's injury.

Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett was outraged that some fans cheered as Watson went down.

“Whether it’s an opponent going down or one of our own, we don’t boo,” Garrett said. “We should be ashamed as Browns and as fans for booing anyone, and his downfall could be a season- and career-altering injury.”

“The man is not perfect. He doesn't have to be. None of us are expected to be perfect. I can't judge him for what he does off the field or on the field because I can't throw stones from my glass house. But we have to do better.”

Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter as the Bengals (3-4) ended a six-game losing streak in Cleveland. While he has played well against every team in the NFL, Burrow struggled against the Browns, going 1-5 overall and 0-3 on the road.

Burrow connected with Ja'Marr Chase for an 18-yard TDand six minutes later he found it Hit Higgins for a 25-yard score. He completed 15 of 25 passes for 181 yards.

“Big win,” Burrow said. “But it’s only one. We are now 3-4. Great teams find ways to win and I think we have a chance to be a great team. We’re not there yet.”

Watson has been controversial since the Browns (1-6) traded three first-round draft picks to Houston for him. He was suspended for the first 11 games of '22 for violating the league's personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault during massage therapy sessions.

Watson made six starts and showed glimpses of his Pro Bowl days with the Texans last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

The 29-year-old has played poorly for most of this season, but the Browns stuck with him.

Before he was injured, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards. He was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was ahead of Jameis Winston on the depth chart this week. Thompson-Robinson finished 11 of 24 for 82 yards and two interceptions before exiting with a finger injury.

Winston played the final 3:43, throwing a TD pass to David Njoku and a 2-point conversion to Cedric Tillman.

Winston, like Garrett, was appalled by the fans' behavior.

“I am very upset about the reaction to a man who the entire world has been immune to for the last four years,” Winston said. “He put his body and his life on the line every day for this city. Regardless of your perception, regardless of what you think should happen to him, he has worked every day to ensure I am here to be the best he can be for this team.”

Charlie Jones returned the first kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown for the Bengals, who have won three of four after trailing by three games to start the season.

Watson's injury came as the Browns welcomed running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 last season. Chubb ran for a 1-yard touchdown shortly after Watson went out.

Chubb received a thunderous ovation as he sprinted out of the tunnel during the pregame introduction. The outcry came seconds after a struggling Watson was booed before Cleveland's first home game in three weeks.

“I was so happy that he got a touchdown, his first game back, and I know how much the fans love him,” Winston said. “I've heard this 'Chubb, Chubb, Chubb,' and we need more of it.”

The Bengals were up 7-0 before Burrow even touched the ball.

Jones caught the opening kick at his goal line, found a seam at Cleveland's 25, cut to his right and was gone. He was almost caught at the 10-yard line, but stayed on his feet, stayed in the field and plunged into the end zone.

It was only the third kick return of his career. Last season as a rookie against Baltimore, he returned a puntback 81 yards for a touchdown.

Jones' TD was the longest return of the season and the third since the new kickoff rule was implemented this season.

Injuries

Bengals: S Geno Stone was carted off late in the fourth with a leg injury. Stone was thrown into the air after being accidentally hit by teammate Vonn Bell. Coach Zac Taylor said Stone's injury wasn't as serious as it seemed. … LT Orlando Brown Jr. left in the second quarter with a right knee injury and did not return.

Browns: Stefanski confirmed that Thompson-Robinson's injury was to his throwing hand, but had no further information.

Next

Bengals: Host Philadelphia next Sunday.

Browns: Host Baltimore next Sunday.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL