Browns place Deshaun Watson on IR, sign QB Bailey Zappe off KC practice squad as backup, protection

Updated Oct. 22, 2024 3:32 p.m. ET

Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns' ever-changing quarterback situation is in motion again.

With starter Deshaun Watson out for the season because of a ruptured Achilles tendon and backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson dealing with a finger injury on his throwing hand, Cleveland signed QB Bailey Zappe off Kansas City's practice squad on Tuesday.

The team also placed Watson on injured reserve, a procedural but necessary move for the Browns, who have lost five straight in what has quickly gone from a promising season to a problematic one.

Watson is scheduled to have surgery this week after rupturing the tendon on a draw play in Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Bengals. It’s the second straight season he has suffered a major injury after breaking his right shoulder after six starts a year ago.

Watson's injury late in the first half was followed by some Browns fans cheering when the QB went down, a reaction that incensed many of his teammates.

He was replaced by Thompson-Robinson, who hurt a finger on his throwing hand in the second half and had to be replaced by Jameis Winston. It was the first time this season Thompson Robinson was Watson's backup.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he was awaiting more medical information on Thompson-Robinson. He completed 11 of 24 passes for 82 yards and two interceptions before getting hurt.

Thompson-Robinson made three starts last season and played in eight games as a rookie when Watson dealt with a shoulder strain before being knocked out in Week 11. The Browns wound up starting five quarterbacks, with Joe Flacco leading them to the playoffs after signing as a free agent.

For the time being, Zappe gives the Browns some protection behind Thompson-Robinson and Winston, who could start this week against Baltimore.

Zappe started eight games for New England over the past two seasons, going 4-4. The 25-year-old signed with the Chiefs after being released by the Patriots this summer.

He had his best game against the Browns, completing 24 of 34 passes for 309 yards in a 38-15 win in 2022.

Watson's career in Cleveland is at another crossroads. The Browns signed him to a $230 million contract in 2022 and he's scheduled to make $46 million in each of the next two seasons.

But Watson hasn't lived up to his contract or expectations and is now dealing with a significant injury that will require months of recovery time.

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