Deshaun Watson needs shoulder surgery, out for rest of 2023

BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a broken pitching shoulder.

According to a team release Wednesday, an MRI performed Monday revealed Watson had a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. Team doctors determined that Watson needed immediate surgery to prevent further structural damage.

Watson, who will be placed on injured reserve, is expected to be back for the start of the 2024 season.

Watson missed four games earlier this season due to a rotator cuff strain in his throwing shoulder. He returned two weeks ago against the Arizona Cardinals and played arguably his best game in a Browns uniform on Sunday, leading Cleveland on a game-winning field goal to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 33-31.

According to the Browns, Watson was injured during the first half against the Ravens, although he finished the game before speaking to the team’s medical staff about the shoulder discomfort that led to on MRI. Another MRI also revealed that Watson suffered a sprained left ankle during the contest.

PJ Walker is Cleveland’s backup quarterback. Walker has totaled 618 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions in five games (two starts) this season.

The Browns will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in a key AFC North game. Both teams are 6-3 and a half behind the first-place Ravens (7-3) in the division.

Cleveland opened as a 4-point favorite against Pittsburgh at ESPN BET before Watson’s injury was announced. The Browns were 2.5-point favorites as of Wednesday morning, and the game’s total had fallen from 37.5 to 34.5, which would match the lowest of the 2023 season (Jets-Giants, Week 8).

The Browns’ odds of winning the Super Bowl went from 25-1 to 50-1.