Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson carted off field, ruled out

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Deshaun Watson was carted off the field Sunday afternoon with an apparent Achilles injury.

Watson was seen grabbing his right, lower leg after dropping back for a pass just before halftime.

He suffered the injury on a noncontact play.

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.

Watson dropped back to pass at the Cincinnati 21-yard line. When he planted, his right leg buckled and he dropped to the ground.

Watson immediately put his hands to his head as he lay on the field in obvious pain. Cleveland’s training staff rushed out to assist him and were soon joined by all of the Browns 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.

Watson was ruled out for the rest of the game after halftime.

The Browns are taking on division rivals, the Bengals Sunday afternoon.

The Browns' backup quarterback is Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Browns' quarterback Jameis Winston is inactive for Sunday’s matchup..

Cleveland signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022. He was suspended 11 games by the NFL in his first year with Cleveland, and his second season was cut short after just six starts because of a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Watson has played poorly this season, leading to calls for coach Kevin Stefanski to bench him. He was booed during pregame introductions.

Before getting hurt, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards. He was sacked twice.