#DeshaunWatson
By video, clear right Achilles tendon rupture
Telltale calf reverberation
Surgery and season over pic.twitter.com/wfmE7eFKsR— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 20, 2024
Deshaun Watson suffered what appears to be a significant right leg injury during a game against the Bengals in October 2024. The injury occurred when he went down without contact while attempting to run, with his calf visibly twitching—often a sign of an Achilles injury. Watson was carted off the field, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced him as quarterback. The Browns managed to score on the following drive, but Watson’s injury is a major concern for the team moving forward.
Deshaun Watson’s contract is one of the most significant in NFL history, especially in terms of its impact on the Cleveland Browns’ salary cap. Watson signed a fully guaranteed 5-year, $230 million contract in 2022. In 2024, after a recent restructure, his cap hit was lowered to $27.9 million, creating over $35 million in cap space for the Browns. However, this restructuring pushes more money into future years, leading to a cap hit of over $72 million in both 2025 and 2026, which could severely limit the team’s flexibility unless further adjustments are made.
If the Browns were to release Watson in 2024, they would incur a dead cap hit of over $200 million, making it virtually impossible to move on from him without serious financial repercussions. The team’s hope is that Watson’s performance justifies these cap decisions as they continue to navigate the complexities of managing their roster under such a large contract.
Flip the page to hear Browns fans cheering the injury.
