You know that old saying that if something is too good to be true, that it probably is? It sure feels like that’s the case right now. A Monday morning MRI for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson revealed that he had sustained a high ankle sprain, and a broken bone in his throwing shoulder.
These injuries were sustained on different plays in Sunday’s win at Baltimore, and were not the same injuries that caused him to miss time earlier in the season. Unfortunately, this means Watson will be placed on Injured Reserve, and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season.
While I hate seeing anyone get hurt, and I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery, it’ll truly be next man up from here on out.
2014 all over again?
We’ve all been through rough times as Browns fans. It’s just the nature of following and loving this football team. But this injury reminds me of another one that killed a promising season nine years ago.
I was a college student at Kent State in 2014. And the Browns had a surprisingly good start that year. They raced out to a 6-3 start, and had posted blowout wins over the Steelers (31-10) and the Bengals (24-3) that season.
I went downtown that night, and watched the Bengals game with friends. It was a Thursday Night Football game. Our defense just destroyed Andy Dalton and Cincinnati, and the team looked like they were firing on all cylinders, and looked poised to make the Playoffs for the first time since 2002.
But in classic Cleveland fashion and luck, Browns all-pro center Alex Mack broke his leg the next week. This killed the running game, and destroyed any momentum the Browns had. They finished 1-6 the rest of the way, and ended the season at 7-9. That one hurt. I know every season is different, but I’m hoping and praying 2023 doesn’t turn out the same way as 2014 did.
Where do the Browns go from here?
Right now, the Browns are 6-3, and at 6th in the AFC. They currently have the second Wild Card spot. They have a solid running game, and one of the best defenses in the league. That’s what’ll keep them in games from here on out. But with Watson’s injury, an old problem reared its ugly head: The team needs another veteran quarterback.
The Browns decided to stand pat at the trade deadline when it came to trying to get one earlier in the season. I’m not sure what the discussions with Washington were, but Browns GM Andrew Berry offered Washington a 6th round pick for Jacoby Brissett, and the Commanders declined. I would have tossed another pick in there to sweeten the pot. Perhaps a 5th rounder. But that’s just me.
As of this article, I am currently listening to Berry’s press conference as I write. While he’s keeping things close to the vest, he did mention going and getting a veteran quarterback “at sometime in the near future.”
Which brings us to this question: Who do the Browns get?
Possible veteran quarterbacks the Browns could pursue
I know Berry has repeated that he trusts the guys in the room. He’s saying all the right things. But as soon as the press conference is over, I hope he jumps on the phone. I like PJ Walker as a person, and he does give his best effort. But he’s just not a viable option for the team moving forward as they try to make a playoff push. He’s only thrown one touchdown to five interceptions, and has a 24.4 quarterback rating. That just won’t get it done.
While it’s unclear right now who the Browns are going to pursue to try to fill Watsons shoes, some of the available free agent names on the list include: Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Nick Foles, Trevor Siemian, and old Browns starter Colt McCoy.
McCoy was drafted by Cleveland in 2010 with the 85th overall pick, and played three seasons for the Browns. Out of all the names on the list, I would either go with Colt McCoy or Nick Foles.
The main thing the Browns need is a game manager at quarterback. This means they need someone who doesn’t turn the football over, who plays within the system, and who doesn’t try to do too much by playing “hero ball” and forcing throws that aren’t there.
Saving 2023
Yes, this injury to Watson was devastating. Yes, it has the potential to really hurt the end of our season. But the Browns have always been next man up this year. They did it when Nick Chubb went down against Pittsburgh in Week 2, and have developed a nice running game in his absence. If Cleveland gets the right free agent quarterback, why can’t they do the same at that position as well?
Next man up, and one game at a time. That’s how these guys will handle it. I know we panic as fans, but Stefanski, Berry and the guys need to have nerves of steel. We’ll see what this team is really made of as we go down the stretch. They’ve beaten every obstacle thrown their way so far. This is just another one. Keep the faith, Dawg Pound!
GO BROWNS!
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Picture Credit: New York Post
