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The Cleveland Browns are reportedly signing quarterback Bailey Zappe off the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad amid starter Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Tuesday (October 22).
Watson suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon during the second quarter of Sunday's (October 20) loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was named the backup prior to Sunday's game, also suffered a thumb injury while appearing in relief for Watson and former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, who was used as the emergency quarterback, finished the game.
"A new QB in Cleveland: The #Browns are signing Bailey Zappe off the #Chiefs practice squad, per sources. With Deshaun Watson’s season over and Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s status in flux, Jameis Winston could start Sunday vs. Baltimore and Zappe would back him up," Pelissero wrote on his X account.
Zappe, 25, went 4-4 in eight starts for the New England Patriots Patriots during the past two seasons, which included going 2-4 and throwing for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions on 127 of 212 passing in 2023. The former Western Kentucky standout had competed with veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookies Drake Maye and Joe Milton during training camp before being waived in August.
Watson appeared to take a bad fall on a non-contact play with 1:21 remaining in the second quarter and immediately clutched at his right ankle. Players from both teams stood near Watson on the field before he was taken off the field in a cart.
Watson, who is in his third season of a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal, threw for 128 yards on 15 of 17 passing in Sunday's game prior to the injury. The former Clemson standout has struggled throughout the 2024 NFL season, posing the lowest QBR of all qualified quarterbacks through his first five games.
Watson was booed by the home crowd during player introductions, which was followed by thunderous cheers for running back Nick Chubb, who returned for his first game since a season-ending injury early in the 2023 season and recorded a touchdown in the first half of Sunday's game. The Browns have now lost five consecutive games and six of their first seven.