Cleveland Browns franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson suffered a broken bone in his throwing shoulder during Sunday’s comeback victory against the Baltimore Ravens. Watson himself noted how he lobbied to try and play through the injury, saying that he “pushed hard for it.” and that “all the doctors and experts said there was no chance.”

Even through sustaining this shoulder injury as well as a high ankle sprain in the game on Sunday, Watson put forth arguably his best half of football for the Cleveland Browns and helped lead them to a 33-31 come from behind victory. In the second half, he totaled 134 passing yards, 16 rushing yards, 14/14 passing and a touchdown. This performance maybe now even more impressive after we know the extent of the injuries that Watson was dealing with, and the level of toughness he displayed in a gutsy win over the division leading Ravens.

Overall Watson’s numbers in the 2023 season do not jump off the page at you. He totaled 1,115 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions while completing 61.4 percent of his passes in 6 games. These stats are very similar to his first 6 starts for the Browns last season actually, the difference being his record of 5-1 as a starter this season and being the clear best option that Cleveland has at QB. Watson still will be the long term answer going forward for the Browns, as they will now look to get him healthy after surgery as he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season.

The Browns currently sit at 6-3, which is tied for second place in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers and just a half game behind the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the division. Cleveland will now turn to 2023 fifth round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson this Sunday in a big divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.