CLEVELAND — Deshaun Watson's tumultuous tenure with Cleveland has taken another significant turn.
His third season appears to be over.
The embattled quarterback was carted off the field Sunday with a right Achilles tendon injury he suffered on a noncontact play against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Following Cleveland's 21-14 loss, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said it "looks like" Watson's injury is serious and will end his season. The team was still awaiting test results, but all indications are that Watson won't play again in 2024.
Watson, who has not lived up to expectations in his two-plus seasons with Cleveland, went down without being touched on a second-down play with 1:26 left in the first half. He dropped back to pass at the Cincinnati 21-yard line. When he planted, his right leg buckled and he dropped to the ground.
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Watson immediately put his hands to his head as he lay on the field in obvious pain. Cleveland's trainers rushed out to assist him and were soon joined by all of the Browns' players as well as the Bengals, who came over from their sideline to surround Watson and offer their support.
As he was driven off, Watson, whose arrival in Cleveland split the fan base, pulled a towel over his head as fans applauded.
However, when he first collapsed, there were fans who cheered. Some even chanted for the Browns to bring in backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Cardinals have flaws, but Murray's play isn't one
TEMPE, Ariz. — Kyler Murray has been around the NFL long enough to have seen a few things.
The 27-year-old was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019. He's been a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
He's led the Arizona Cardinals to an 11-win season. He's suffered playoff disappointment. He's seen one head coach hired and another fired. He's torn knee ligaments and missed nearly a year.
With all that experience as background, he still believes the Cardinals are on the right track despite a 2-4 record this season, steadfastly supporting second-year coach Jonathan Gannon as the two embark on their first Monday night game together when they host the Los Angeles Chargers.
Six years after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick after winning the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, Murray is in his NFL prime.
Bucs' Godwin flourishing, feeling like his old self
TAMPA, Fla. — Chris Godwin is back, even if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver who's a model of consistency never actually went away.
But nearly three years removed from a serious knee injury he feels is finally behind him, the longtime sidekick of Mike Evans is flourishing like never before.
Entering play Sunday, Godwin led the NFL in receptions (43), ranked third in receiving yards (511) and was tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions (five) with Evans, Ja'Marr Chase, George Kittle and Allen Lazard.
The Bucs, coming off a 51-point outburst against New Orleans in which Godwin had 11 catches for 125 yards and two TDs, host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
Godwin's strong start has followed an offseason in which he grieved the death of his father while also preparing for a move to slot receiver on the field, a role he filled earlier in his career.
BRIEFLY
SEAHAWKS: Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf's big game against Atlanta ended when he was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Metcalf had four receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown before landing hard on an incompletion in the third quarter.
COMMANDERS: Jayden Daniels will undergo further tests Monday after leaving Washington's game against Carolina with a rib injury, coach Dan Quinn said, repeatedly adding he had no further update on the rookie quarterback's status.
PACKERS: Green Bay linebacker Quay Walker left Sunday's game after a teammate's leg inadvertently hit him in the head at the end of a play.
49ERS: San Francisco got a lift from rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall making his NFL debut exactly 50 days after being shot in the chest but might have lost starting receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a significant knee injury.
RAIDERS: Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O'Connell went to the locker room after injuring his hand in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams.