'Should be ashamed': Cleveland Browns players fume at fans after Deshaun Watson injury
Deshaun Watson's tumultuous tenure with the Browns has taken another significant turn, with his third season in Cleveland likely ending in brutal fashion.
The embattled quarterback was carted off the field on Monday (AEDT) with a right Achilles tendon injury he suffered on a non-contact 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.
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Watson immediately put his hands to his head as he lay on the field in obvious pain, before players from both teams surrounded him as he was put onto the cart.
As he was driven off, Watson - whose arrival in Cleveland divided the fan base - pulled a towel over his head as his own fans were split between boos and cheers.
Deshaun Watson is taken from the field. Getty
Browns teammate Myles Garrett was disgusted by the behaviour of the supporters.
“We should be ashamed of ourselves as Browns and as fans to boo anyone and their downfall ... no one deserves that," he said.
"We don't boo guys who are injured on the field, especially when the cart comes out.
"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 need to do better.
"Do better on the football field and do better as fans for having some empathy for a man who's doing the best he can and did the best he can up until this point.
"We have to be better."
Third-string quarterback Jameis Winston went even further.
“I'm very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years,” he said.
“He put his body and life on the line for this city. I know the standard that hungry fans want, but the way I was raised, I would never pull on a man when he is down.”
Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed, $342 million AUD contract two years ago, but was suspended for 11 games by the NFL in his first year with Cleveland.
His second season was cut short after just six starts because of a shoulder injury.
Watson has played poorly this season, leading to calls for Stefanski to bench him. He was booed during pre-game introductions.
Before getting hurt, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards and was sacked twice. Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced him but suffered a finger injury in the fourth quarter after being put ahead of Winston for the first time this season.
Deshaun Watson has failed to fire in Cleveland. Getty
Cleveland mortgaged their short-term future to get Watson, sending three first-round draft picks to Houston for the star playmaker, but the 28-year-old has made far more headlines off the field than on it since his arrival.
Watson was accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than two dozen women for inappropriate behaviour during massage therapy sessions in Texas.
Watson settled numerous civil lawsuits brought against him.
The league is still investigating a recent allegation against Watson brought by a woman who accused him of sexual assault.
Watson recently reached a confidential settlement to close that case.
