The Cleveland Browns and their passionate fanbase experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during Week 7’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Deshaun Watson, the veteran quarterback who has struggled mightily in 2024, was greeted with boos as he took the field. By the second quarter, Watson’s season came to an abrupt and painful end, as he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. The controversial signal-caller was visibly emotional, shedding tears as he was carted off the field.
The injury capped off what had already been a tumultuous season for Watson and the Browns. Cleveland entered the game as the only NFL team without a 20-point game through the first six weeks, a far cry from the expectations set when the franchise traded away multiple first-round picks for the former Houston Texans quarterback and handed him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. Watson’s performance in 2024 was nothing short of disappointing, leaving the offense stuck at the bottom of the league rankings.
Watson’s struggles on the field have been compounded by off-the-field controversies. His past legal issues, including allegations of sexual misconduct, have hung over his career, making him a polarizing figure within the league and the Cleveland fanbase. When Watson went down, social media erupted with less-than-sympathetic reactions, a stark contrast to how other NFL players’ injuries are typically received.
While Watson’s injury cast a shadow over the day, Browns fans found a silver lining in the return of star running back Nick Chubb. Chubb, who suffered a devastating MCL and ACL injury in 2023, made his long-awaited return to the field and wasted no time in making an impact. With backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson taking over after Watson’s departure, Chubb powered into the end zone, marking his first NFL touchdown in over a year.
Nick Chubb in the end zone for the #Browns 398 days after suffering a multi-ligament knee injury. pic.twitter.com/0d8xMbHMOR
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 20, 2024
The moment Chubb crossed the goal line, cheers erupted from the stands, a welcome moment of joy in what had been a challenging day for the Browns. His return brought life back into a struggling offense, reigniting hope that the team can still find success, even without their high-priced quarterback.
With Watson sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Browns will now turn to Thompson-Robinson as their leader on offense. As fans rally around Chubb’s heroic comeback, the question remains: Can Cleveland turn their season around without Watson? One thing is certain, the Browns’ journey just got a whole lot more interesting.
