Browns' QB Deshaun Watson In Attendance For Wild Card Matchup With Texans
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been on the injured reserve since the team's Week 10 win over the Ravens.
In that game, he led Cleveland a comeback victory, by playing a perfect fourth quarter. Little did he know, he had fractured his shoulder during the game.
The ensuing Wednesday the Browns announced that the quarterback would undergo season-ending surgery and it put the Browns' season in serious doubt.
Since then, Watson has been mostly absent from the team facility in Berea, making an appearances in Week 17 when the Browns played the Jets in Thursday Night Football. Prior to that he caused quite the stir for attending Cleveland's road matchup with the Rams and sitting in a suite to watch the game.
This weekend, Watson is back with the team once again, as they take on the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Watson was one of an assortment of injuries the Browns had to overcome this season. At the time though, losing their starting quarterback felt like it could plumge a dagger into the season.
Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass fro the pocket during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Instead of folding, the Browns picked themselves up, signed Joe Flacco, and are now find themselves opening up Wild Card Weekend.
Watson's tenure with Cleveland has been rocky in these first two seasons, but that game in Baltimore felt like it could have been a turning point. Despite battling injuries this year, he was 5-1 on the season throwing for 1,115 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
However, the lasting memory of Watson in 2023 was that perfect fourth quarter against the Ravens, where he finished 14-14 for 134 yards and a touchdown leading Cleveland to erase a 14-point deficit to knock off the eventual top seed in the AFC.
Should Cleveland win in Houston, there's a chance they could see Baltimore again at their place as early as the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
