The Browns’ Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start on Sunday.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will undergo season-ending surgery on his shoulder, the team announced Wednesday. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Kevin Stefanski said.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Watson suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. After the match, he told the medical staff that he felt discomfort in his right shoulder after suffering a blow in the first half.
• An MRI on Monday revealed a fracture of the glenoid in his shoulder. The MRI also showed a left ankle sprain.
• Doctors have determined that Watson needs immediate surgery and expect him to make a full recovery by the start of the 2024 season.
• Thompson Robinson, a fifth-round rookie, has appeared in three games with one start this season. He and P.J. Walker have split at quarterback during Watson’s previous absence this season.

what are they saying

Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Wednesday that Watson suffered a new shoulder injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and that the team is “a little unclear” as to the exact play that occurred.

“We are obviously very disappointed and devastated by Deshaun,” Perry said.

Berry added that Watson had already sprained his ankle before Sunday’s game.

When addressing the Browns’ quarterback situation, Perry said the team will explore all options.

“We will always be open but our focus is really on the people who are already in the room,” he said.

“In the first half, I knew something was wrong but I was pushing forward,” said Watson, who was wearing a protective boot on his left ankle. “…It’s very difficult. Make sure I keep my head above water and support the guys as much as I can.”

Brown wants to protect Watson long-term

Berry said the Browns and team doctors “confirmed” to Watson that trying to play through this injury could have long-term negative effects.

Watson is fully guaranteed the $63.98 million salary cap for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The Browns reworked Watson’s deal in March to lower the 2023 cap hit to $19 million, and although they could do so again in early 2024, the contract is fully up. content. -Zach Jackson, Browns staff writer

How Watson stacked up

Watson was nowhere near as good as Brown had hoped. The numbers agree with this thought.

Watson ranks 28th in the league in expected points added per punt, via TruMedia, at -0.16 this season. There were points this season when he finished last in the league in this category. He also ranks 29th with a completion percentage of 61.4.

From Week 13 of last season (Watson’s first game with the Browns) to date, he ranks 31st in EPA per dropback rate (-0.15), 29th in completion percentage (59.8) and 27th in passer rating (81.7). ) out of 34 eligible QBs.

It’s been worse with Walker as the starting quarterback this season, though the Browns have somehow notched two wins in the process. Walker has a -0.19 EPA, a 51.3 passer rating and a 49.0 percent completion rate.

You have to wonder how the Browns stay in the playoffs without even the mediocre Watson at quarterback. — Larry Holder, NFL senior writer

Dramatic story

Watson, who has played in six games this season, suffered a rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder in Week 3 and missed Weeks 4 and 6. Cleveland bid farewell in the fifth week.

Watson returned against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. However, he exited that game in the first quarter after coaches checked his arm and shoulder, and coach Kevin Stefanski said he was too careful with Watson’s shoulder.

Since then, Watson has played in the Browns’ victories over the Arizona Cardinals and Ravens. He finished the season throwing for 1,115 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Thompson-Robinson has thrown for 130 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He is 0-1 as a starter this season, while Walker is 1-1. Walker recorded one touchdown and five interceptions over 98 pass attempts.

Required reading

(Photo: Jessica Rapfogel/USA Today)