Sad News: Browns expected to be without their key man as he undergoes surgery till next season after battling with….

CLEVELAND (AP) — After suffering a fracture to his right shoulder that ended his second season in Cleveland after only nine games, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson underwent surgery in Los Angeles on Tuesday to fix the ailment.

When Watson sustained the break in his throwing shoulder in the first half of the game on November 12 against Baltimore, he was already managing a strained right rotator cuff.

The Browns announced that Watson’s right glenoid (socket) fracture was repaired surgically by shoulder expert Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

The organization anticipates that Watson, 28, will be fully recovered “prior to the start of the 2024 season.” The 28-year-old will start rehab later this week.

The Browns signed Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract last season, but he has only appeared in 12 of the 34 games that were feasible.

The NFL suspended him for 11 games in 2022 for breaking the personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and harassment.

Watson sustained a high left ankle sprain and continued to play against the Ravens despite having a shattered shoulder.

In the second half, he finished all 14 of his pass attempts, leading the Browns to victory 33–31.

With Watson lost following his best win since coming to Cleveland, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson started Sunday against Pittsburgh. The fifth-round pick completed four passes in the final 1:18 to set up Dustin Hopkins’ game-winning field goal as the Browns beat the Steelers 13-10.

Coach Kevin Stefanski will start Thompson-Robinson again this week at Denver, but the Browns signed veteran Joe Flacco on Monday.

Currently on the practice squad, 38-year-old Flacco has thrown for 42,320 yards and 232 touchdowns in 15 NFL seasons. He is anticipated to be moved to the active roster shortly.