The Browns' Deshaun Watson was carted off the field with a hamstring injury

Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson at quarterback late in the first half. Jameis Winston became the third emergency quarterback on the Browns' inactive list on Sunday.

Watson has played in 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 continued, while on the field he rarely resembled the quarterback previously selected three times to the Houston Texans' Pro Bowl.

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

The breach comes as the NFL continues to examine recent allegations of sexual misconduct made in a lawsuit against Watson. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday at the conclusion of a daylong owners' meeting in Atlanta that the league's review is ongoing.

“We take personal conduct policies seriously,” Goodell said. “And so our people work hard.”

Watson's 11-game suspension came with a $5 million fine for violating the code of conduct, as part of a settlement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. The punishment was based on allegations in more than two dozen lawsuits from women who accused Watson of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Watson denied these allegations and was not charged with any crime. According to attorney Anthony Buzbee, who also represents these women, he previously reached a settlement with 23 of his accusers and withdrew a lawsuit.