Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Exits Game After Hard Hit

After four weeks of reading between the lines on Deshaun Watson's shoulder injury, the Cleveland Browns starting quarterback made his long awaited return to the field against the Indianapolis Colts.

Unfortunately, it was a short-lived come back as the Browns quarterback left the game late in the first quarter, after taking a hard hit that ended with him slamming against the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Watson with a hard hit to his head. No flag was thrown here. #CLEvsIND pic.twitter.com/rWP7bXEDAX
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) October 22, 2023

It appeared that Watson had thrown his second interception of the game on the play, but after review the pass was ruled incomplete. Watson spent a significant amount of time after the play laying on the turf slow to get up, while the Browns training staff attended to him. Eventually he made his way to the sideline and was further examined by medical personnel.

On the Colts ensuing drive, Myles Garrett forced a strip-sack and got the ball back to the offense in short order. Noticeably, P.J. Walker took the field at quarterback in place of Watson, who could be seen on the sideline standing next to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with his helmet on.

Moments later though, he made his way back into the team's blue pop-up tent, where one of the NFL designated neurologists seemed to be checking the 28-year-old.

Aditi Kinkhabwala provided an update on the CBS broadcast, sharing that Watson was cleared to return after clearing concussion protocol, but that the Browns had no information on why they were continuing to hold him out.

Prior to the injury that forced him to leave the game, the former Texans quarterback was off to a disastrous start, completing just one of his five pass attempts for 5 yards and an interception.