Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson at quarterback late in the first half. Jameis Winston was placed on the Browns’ inactive list on Sunday as their emergency third quarterback.

Watson played just 19 games for the Browns in three seasons. He served an 11-game suspension during the 2022 season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. His 2023 season was cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery. The off-field controversies have continued, while on the field he has rarely resembled the quarterback who was a former three-time Pro Bowl selection for the Houston Texans.

His play this season has been a big deal as the Browns have struggled after reaching the AFC playoffs last season, with Joe Flacco one of the quarterbacks filling in for Watson. He was the NFL’s 28th-rated passer entering Sunday’s games and the Browns were in last place in the AFC North with a 1-5 record. But coach Kevin Stefanski consistently said he had no plans to bench Watson.

The injury comes as the NFL continues to review the latest allegations of sexual misconduct against Watson in a lawsuit. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday at the end of a one-day owners meeting in Atlanta that the league review is underway.

“We take the personal conduct policy seriously,” Goodell said. “And so our people work diligently.”

Watson’s 11-game suspension came with a $5 million fine for violating the personal conduct policy, under a settlement reached by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. The punishment was based on allegations in more than two dozen lawsuits filed by women accusing Watson of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Watson denied these allegations and has not been charged with a crime. He previously reached settlements with 23 of his accusers and one lawsuit was dropped, according to attorney Anthony Buzbee, who also represents these women.