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

His third season seems to be over.

The embattled quarterback was carted off the field on Sunday with a right Achilles tendon injury he suffered during a non-contact game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Next Cleveland’s 21-14 lossBrowns coach Kevin Stefanski said it “appears” Watson’s injury is serious and will end his season. The team was still waiting for the test results, but everything indicates that Watson will not play again in 2024.

Watson, who has not lived up to expectations in his two-plus seasons with Cleveland, went down without being touched on a second-down play with 1:26 left in the first half. He dropped back to pass at the Cincinnati 21-yard line. When he planted, his right leg buckled and he fell to the ground.

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

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

However, when he first collapsed, there were fans cheering. Some even called for the Browns to bring in 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 if we boo everyone and their downfall,” Garrett said. “No one deserves that.”

Third-string quarterback Jameis Winston went even further.

“I’m very angry about the reaction to a man who has had the world against him for the past four years,” Winston said. “He risked his body and life every day for this city. I know the standard that hungry fans want, but the way I was raised, I would never pull a guy when he’s down.

Cleveland signed Watson to a fully 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 calls for Stefanski to bench him. He was booed during pregame introductions.

Before he was hurt, 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 substituted for 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 pitch than off it.

He was accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than two dozen women for inappropriate behavior during massage therapy sessions in Texas. Watson settled numerous civil lawsuits filed 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 resolve the case.

___

AP N.F.L.: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl