BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent surgery on his fractured right shoulder on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the Browns, the surgery was performed by Neal ElAttrache, MD, in Los Angeles and was deemed successful. The Browns added that Watson's rehab process is scheduled to begin on Friday. The 28-year-old is expected to make a full recovery prior to the start of the 2024 season.
The injury to Watson happened during the Browns' 33-31 win in Baltimore on Nov. 12 from an unspecified hit. The Browns later reported that an MRI revealed a displaced fracture to the glenoid.
Watson told reporters last week that he had "no idea" when the fracture happened, but knew by the end of the first quarter there was a problem.
"I kind of recognized something was wrong, but during the midst of the game, I was just pushing through whatever I was feeling," said Watson. "And then after the game, and Monday and Tuesday we got testing done and that's when I found out from the doctors that it was something worse than what we thought it was."
Watson paused for several seconds when asked about his emotions at his season being over.
"It's very tough," he said. "But I'm going to make sure I keep my head above water and make sure I stay in touch with all the guys and support them as much as I possibly can and attack this rehab process after surgery and make sure that I'm doing whatever I can to be beneficial for the team while not actually being on the field with them and also prepping for the next year."
The Browns traded three first-round draft picks last year to Houston for Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler who wound up being suspended for 11 games by the NFL after he was accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than two dozen women during massage therapy sessions.
Watson, who has made just 12 of 26 possible starts since coming to Cleveland, twice twisted his left ankle Sunday but insisted on staying in. He completed 14 of 14 passes in the second half while leading the Browns to one of their biggest wins in years.
In Watson's absence, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson helped the Browns to an emotional 13-10 win over the Steelers this past Sunday.
Coach Kevin Stefanski will start Thompson-Robinson again this week at Denver, but the Browns signed veteran Joe Flacco on Monday. The 38-year-old Flacco, who has thrown for 42,320 yards and 232 TDs in 15 NFL seasons, is on the practice squad but is expected to be added to the active roster soon.
Previous Reporting:
- 'I'm still in disbelief': Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson reacts after shoulder injury ends season
- Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson out for remainder of season, will undergo surgery: Read the team's full statement with updates on what's next
- Cleveland Browns will stick with Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB even after signing Joe Flacco