CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson's tumultuous tenure with Cleveland has taken another significant turn.

His third season appears to be over.

The beleaguered quarterback was carted off the field Sunday with a right Achilles tendon injury sustained in a non-contact play against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Below Cleveland's 21-14 lossBrowns coach Kevin Stefanski said it “looks like” Watson's injury is serious and will end his season. The team was still waiting for test results, but everything points to Watson not playing again in 2024.

Watson, who has failed to live up to expectations in his two-plus seasons with Cleveland, went to the ground without being touched on a second-down play 1:26 left in the first half. He dropped back to pass at the Cincinnati 21-yard line. While planting, his right leg buckled and he fell to the ground.

Watson immediately put his hands to his head as he lay on the field in obvious pain. Cleveland's coaches rushed over to help him, and they were soon joined by all the Browns and Bengals players, who came over from their sidelines to surround Watson and offer their support.

As he was evicted, Watson, whose arrival in Cleveland divided the fan base, pulled a towel over his head as fans applauded.

However, when he collapsed for the first time, there were fans who cheered. Some even called for the Browns to sign backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

Myles Garrett, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was disgusted by the fans' behavior.

“We should be ashamed as Browns and as fans for booing and bringing anyone down,” Garrett said. “No one deserves this.”

Third-string quarterback Jameis Winston went even further.

“I am very upset about the reaction to a man who the entire world has been immune to for the last four years,” Winston said. “He put his body and his life on the line every day for this city. I know the standard that hungry fans want, but the way I was brought up, I would never attack a man when he's down.”

Cleveland signed Watson to a guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022. He was suspended 11 games by the NFL in his first year with Cleveland, and his second season was cut short after just six starts due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Watson has played poorly this season, leading to Stefanski being asked to bench him. He was booed during the pre-game introductions.

Before he was injured, Watson was 15 of 17 for 128 yards. He was fired twice. Thompson-Robinson replaced him, but suffered a finger injury in the fourth quarter after being put ahead of Winston for the first time this season.

The Browns mortgaged their short-term future to get Watson, sending three first-round draft picks to Houston for the three-time Pro Bowler. The 28-year-old has made far more headlines off the field than on it.

He has been accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than two dozen women for inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions in Texas. Watson has settled numerous civil lawsuits brought against him.

The league is still investigating a recent allegation against Watson made by a woman who accused him of sexual assault. Watson recently reached a confidential settlement to close this case.

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