The Cleveland Browns have signed a popular new quarterback following Deshaun Watson sustaining a season-ending injury, snatching Bailey Zappe off of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad this Tuesday.
Watson has been placed on the team’s injured reserve after rupturing his Achilles tendon against the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 7 matchup on Sunday.
The Browns have also announced waiving linebacker Tony Fields II from the injured reserve and re-signing running back Gary Brightwell to the practice squad. Tackle Sebastian Gutierrez has been released from the practice squad as well.
“The Cleveland Browns have signed QB Bailey Zappe to the active roster off Kansas City’s practice squad and placed QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) on injured reserve,” the team disclosed. “In addition, the team has waived LB Tony Fields II from injured reserve. The Brown also re-signed RB Gary Brightwell to the practice squad and released T Sebastian Gutierrez from the practice squad.”
Breaking: The Browns have placed QB Deshaun Watson on injured reserve and signed QB Bailey Zappe to the active roster, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/r0HlpjwRt1
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2024
Watson has seen yet another campaign ended prematurely following season-ending surgery in 2023.
He started the first seven games for Cleveland this term, throwing for 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. The three-time Pro Bowler will hope to be ready to go at the start of next season.
Bailey Zappe Will Look To Make His Mark In Cleveland
Meanwhile, Zappe is in his third NFL season, having been selected by the New England Patriots as a fourth-round pick in 2022.
He has made 14 appearances in the pros, starting in eight of them and completing 192 of 304 attempts for a total of 2,053 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He spent last season on the Chiefs’ practice squad.
I’ll never forget going to a #Browns game & watching rookie Bailey Zappe put up 300yds & 2TDs on Joe Woods’ defense
The QB carousel has a sick sense of humor#DawgPound
pic.twitter.com/yICeNBBbA1 https://t.co/UFY0XX1tRN— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) October 22, 2024
The 25-year-old will hope for significant playing time, given this new opportunity. He will wear No. 2 for the Browns.
