Browns' Deshaun Watson to Have Surgery Next Week

Reports indicate the Browns quarterback will head to Los Angeles to have surgery to repair his injured shoulder

The Browns were dealt a tough blow on Wednesday with news that Deshaun Watson would be on the shelf for the remainder of the season with a fracture in his throwing shoulder. Now the process is underway to get him on the operating table and rehabbing for 2024.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Watson is scheduled to have surgery on the injured shoulder next Tuesday out in Los Angeles. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache of Kerlan-Jobe Institute is slated to conduct the procedure. 

Deshaun Watson will have surgery next week in LA, with Kerlan-Jobe Institute’s Dr. Neal ElAttrache, one of the nation’s top docs, performing it. He should make a full recovery. https://t.co/yuqbSHipml

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 16, 2023

What's most unfortunate for the Browns is that Watson seemed to just be scratching the surface on unlocking his full potential in this offense. In the second half of the team's win over Baltimore, Watson was a perfect 14-of-14 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown, as he helped orchestrate a double-digit comeback. Now, the former Texans signal caller will have to wait until next fall to try to reclaim his once elite form. 

Injuries are nothing new to Watson. In 2017 the Clemson product saw a promising rookie campaign cut short due to a torn ACL. Of course, he missed all of 2021 due to the off the field accusations that then saw him suspended for all but six games in 2022 for the Browns. This year, he's battled constant injuries to his shoulder including the, unrelated, rotator cuff contusion between Weeks 4 and 9 and now the season-ending glenoid fracture.

His absence due to injury throughout the season exposed Watson to criticism over his desire to play, but it's now been confirmed he played through a high ankle sprain and this fracture in his shoulder on Sunday, which tell a much different story about the QB's toughness.

Early indications are that after having the surgery next week, Watson should be ready to suit up for the Browns in Week 1 of the regular season next year. In the meantime, Cleveland is putting it's faith in rookie quarterback, Dorain Thompson-Robinson to hold down the fort for Watson and help lead this franchise back to the postseason for just the second time in 24 years.