Cleveland Browns lose to Bengals as disastrous season now includes Deshaun Watson injury

CLEVELAND — This season has been a slog through the first six games for both of Ohio's NFL franchises. As bad as it had been for the Cincinnati Bengals , it's been worse for the Browns .

Sunday afternoon's 21-14 loss, though, may have been a new low for the Browns. Not just was it the insult of losing a fifth consecutive game, but there was the added layer of injury.

Specifically, the Browns lost quarterback Deshaun Watson to an Achilles injury in the second quarter. While nothing's been officially stated, it would appear to be the kind of injury that likely is season-ending for Watson, who was 15-of-17 passing for 128 yards when he suffered the non-contact injury.

Second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson replaced Watson and was completed 11 of 24 passes for 82 yards with a 19.8 passer rating. Thompson-Robinson left the game with 3:43 remaining with a finger injury.

Jameis Winston, the No. 3 quarterback for the first time this season, replaced Thompson-Robinson and led the Browns to a late touchdown drive. Winston was 5-of-11 passing for 67 yards on his one possession, throwing an 8-yard touchdown to David Njoku with 1:27 remaining, followed by a two-point conversion pass to Cedric Tillman to make it 21-14.

The Bengals, though, recovered the Browns' on-side kick attempt after the touchdown.

Cleveland fell to 1-6 this season, with the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens coming to town next week. Cincinnati improved to 3-4 with a second consecutive win.

Cincinnati hadn't won in Cleveland since the Browns' 0-16 season in 2017. The Browns haven't had a worse start than the one they're currently on since that season.

Here's how the 102nd Battle of Ohio unfolded on Sunday afternoon on the lakefront.

DTR has finger injury, so Jameis Winston is 3rd Browns QB to play

The Browns had to break glass on their emergency quarterback, as Jameis Winston came in with 3:43 remaining. The team announced Dorian Thompson-Robinson had suffered a finger injury.

Thompson-Robinson entered the game in the second quarter when Deshaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury.

Cincinnati Bengals miss FG after interception

The Bengals failed to turn the interception into points. Evan McPherson missed a 50-yard field goal wide right to give the ball back to Cleveland.

Another errant DTR pass results in 2nd interception

Dorian Thompson-Robinson's third-and-7 pass with 4:16 remaining was air-mailed into the hands of Cincinnati's Geno Smith. Smith returned the interception 49 yards to the Browns 30.

Thompson-Robinson had either Jerry Jeudy running the shorter crossing route, or Elijah Moore running a deeper one. He missed both.

End 3rd quarter: Cincinnati Bengals 21, Cleveland Browns 6

The Browns enter the fourth quarter trailing by double digits. Cincinnati opens the quarter with a first down at its own 17.

Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins for Cincinnati Bengals TD

Joe Burrow threw his second touchdown pass of the third quarter, hitting a wide-open Tee Higgins for a 25-yard touchdown pass. The score made it 21-6 Bengals with 1:30 left in the third.

Burrow's touchdown toss made him 13-of-21 passing for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He has a 119.3 passer rating.

Jerry Jeudy throws helmet when he returns to Cleveland Browns bench

The frustrations of a wide receiving corps that's lost Amari Cooper and has struggled to get passes against the Bengals is starting to show. After quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson's third-down pass was thrown into the bench due to Cincinnati pressure, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was shown on television throwing his helmet down when he went to the bench.

Jeudy has yet to be targeted in the game.

DTR throws interception off teammate Cedric Tillman's hands

Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw his first interception of the game when his pass across the middle went off the hands of wide receiver Cedric Tillman and was picked off by defensive end Sam Hubbard. The pick gives Cincinnati the ball at the Cleveland 43 with 6:44 remaining in the third quarter.

Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase for Cincinnati Bengals TD

The Bengals turned their fourth-down stop of the Browns into seven points of their down. Quarterback Joe Burrow hit wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase on a perfectly-placed back-shoulder throw for an 18-yard touchdown with 7:56 remaining.

Chase was being defended by cornerback Greg Newsome II. The score gave Cincinnati a 14-6 lead.

Cleveland Browns come up short on 4th down try to open 3rd quarter

The Browns could not keep their first second-half possession going once it reached the Bengals 35. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson's pass was incomplete, giving the Bengals the ball back.

Deshaun Watson officially out with Achilles injury

The Browns officially announced quarterback Deshaun Watson is out due to an Achilles injury.

Halftime: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 6

The Browns trail the Bengals at halftime thanks to Dustin Hopkins' missed PAT. Cleveland will get the second-half kick.

Nick Chubb scores on 1-yard TD run, Dustin Hopkins misses PAT

Nick Chubb got into the end zone in his first game back, scoring a 1-yard run on fourth and goal with 56 seconds remaining in the first half. Dustin Hopkins, though, missed the point-after kick wide left.

Deshaun Watson injured on QB run

Deshaun Watson went down immediately after he planted his leg to try and run on second-and-6 from the Bengals 21. He appeared to injure his right leg.

The cart was immediately called out for him. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will replace Watson at quarterback.

Deshaun Watson leading Browns on drive late in 2nd quarter

Quarterback Deshaun Watson has heated up to help the Browns hit the two-minute warning with a first down at the Cincinnati 26. He's completed three consecutive passes on the drive, including a 20-yarder to Jordan Akins right before the break, to improve his numbers to 15-of-17 passing for 127 yards in the first half.

Cleveland Browns get 2 more sacks of Bengals QB Joe Burrow

The Browns added sacks No. 2 and 3 of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with less than six minutes remaining in the second quarter. Those two sacks — one a split sack between Isaiah McGuire and Maurice Hurst II and the second by Za'Darius Smith — forced Cincinnati to punt the ball away.

Browns cornerbacks responding to Jim Schwartz's challenge

The Bengals had to punt with 11:01 remaining in the second quarter because the Browns cornerbacks made two big plays on second and third down to break up passes. Nickelback Greg Newsome II broke up a throw to Tee Higgins on second-and-8 from the Bengals 46, while cornerback Denzel Ward knocked the ball out of Andrei Iosivas hands on the next play.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had been critical of the cornerbacks' performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Joe Burrow is 6-of-11 passing for 62 yards passing at this point for Cincinnati.

End 1st quarter: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 0

The Browns trailed the Bengals after the first 15 minutes. Cincinnati will have a second-and-7 from its own 45 to start the second quarter.

Shelby Harris with 4th-down sack of Bengals QB Joe Burrow

The Bengals threatened to make it a two-score game on their second offensive possession. Four plays after a holding call negated a 28-yard run by Chase Brown, Cincinnati found itself in a fourth-and-3 situation at the Browns 37.

Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris sacked quarterback Joe Burrow, though, to stop the drive. It's the 21st time Burrow's been sacked by the Browns in his career.

Dustin Hopkins' missed FG spoils solid Cleveland Browns drive

The Browns manufactured a strong second offensive possession, with quarterback Deshaun Watson completing his first four passes to help move the ball to the Cincinnati 30. The drive stalled, though, and ended up with no points when Dustin Hopkins missed a 49-yard field goal wide left with 6:28 left in the first quarter.

Cleveland Browns get tricky for an incompletion

The Browns reached into the bag of tricks to try to get a big play on their second possession. Nick Chubb lined up at quarterback in the shotgun, with wide receiver Elijah Moore to his right and quarterback Deshaun Watson in the slot to the left.

Chubb handed the ball to Moore, who starting running to the left. Watson was running back around to the right, and Moore flipped the ball to him.

Watson then threw the pass deep to Cedric Tillman. The ball went incomplete, as Tillman couldn't quite get to it.

Cleveland Browns starting defense vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• DE: Za’Darius Smith
• DT: Dalvin Tomlinson
• DT: Shelby Harris
• DE: Myles Garrett
• LB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
• LB: Devin Bush
• LB: Jordan Hicks
• S: Grant Delpit
• CB: Denzel Ward
• CB: Martin Emerson Jr.
• S: Rodney McLeod

Nick Chubb gets 1st play target, 3rd down carry on 1st drive

Nick Chubb was targeted on the Browns' first play, a pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson that went off his hands for an incompletion. He would get his first carry two plays later, a 2-yard run on third-and-3.

Nick Chubb back in Cleveland Browns starting offense vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• QB: Deshaun Watson
• RB: Nick Chubb
• TE: David Njoku
• WR: Jaelon Darden
• WR: Jerry Jeudy
• WR: Cedric Tillman
• LT: Jedrick Wills Jr.
• LG: Joel Bitonio
• C: Ethan Pocic
• RG: Michael Dunn
• RT: Jack Conklin

Cincinnati Bengals' Charlie Jones returns opening kickoff for TD

The pyrotechnics from the pregame hadn't even stopped smoking before the Bengals took a 7-0 lead. Charlie Jones returned to the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

Nick Chubb draws huge ovation when introduced to Cleveland Browns fans pregame

The return of running back Nick Chubb has been the story of the week leading into the game against the Bengals. His introduction didn't disappoint, drawing huge cheers from the fans in the stands.

Chubb was introduced right after quarterback Deshaun Watson, who drew significant boos from the crowd.

Jameis Winston to be QB3 for Cleveland Browns, DTR to back up Deshaun Watson

Jameis Winston will be inactive against the Bengals as the No. 3 emergency quarterback against the Bengals. Winston has been acknowledged as the backup since he signed with the Browns in March.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, instead, will be the backup for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Thompson-Robinson, the second-year pro, was the No. 3 quarterback for the Browns' first six games.

Thompson-Robinson started three games and appeared in five others for the Browns as a rookie last season, going 1-2 in his starts. He completed 53.6% of his passes for 440 yards with one touchdown, four interceptions and six sacks.

A hip injury in December ended his season with two games to go. It also prevented him from doing on-field work through much of the offseason program, although he was back in time for minicamp.

Winston had appeared in four games this season, mostly to handle short-yardage situations such as last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. He carried it five times for three net yards while also completing his only pass attempt for 16 yards in mop-up duty in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.

Two of the Browns' other inactive players — running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) and safety Ronnie Hickman (ankle) — were ruled out on Friday due to injuries. Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, linebacker Nathanial Watson and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson were also inactive.

Ethan Pocic, Jordan Hicks will start for Cleveland Browns after missing time

Center Ethan Pocic, as expected, will start at center for the Browns after having missed last week's game in Philadelphia with a knee injury. Michael Dunn will start at right guard, which is where he started last week before Nick Harris' ankle injury.

Also back in the lineup after having missed time with injury will be linebacker Jordan Hicks. Hicks had been sidelined since leaving the Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with rib, elbow and triceps injuries.

Cleveland Browns inactive players vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• QB Jameis Winston (3QB)
• CB Kahlef Hailassie
• S Ronnie Hickman
• RB Jerome Ford
• LB Nathaniel Watson
• DT Quinton Jefferson

When do the Cleveland Browns play today?

Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Who is announcing the Bengals vs. Browns game?

• Play-by-play: Spero Dedes
• Analysts: Adam Archuleta
• Sideline: Aditi Kinkhabwala

What channel is Browns vs. Bengals on: How to watch the Cleveland-Cincinnati game on TV, streaming

• TV channel: CBS WOIO-TV (Channel 19)
• Stream: Paramount+ and NFL+
• Announcers: Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analyst), Aditi Kinkhabwala (sideline reporter)

How to listen to the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals game on the radio, stream

• The Cleveland Browns Radio Network will carry the game, with Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (analyst) and Je'Rod Cherry (sideline reporter) on the call. Among the affiliates in the Akron-Canton area are WAKR-AM 1590, WONE-FM 97.5, WHBC-AM 1480, WQKT-FM 104.5, WKRK-FM 92.3, WKNR-AM 850 and WNCX-FM 98.5.
• The Cleveland Browns Radio Network's call can also be streamed at Cleveland Browns.com , as well as the Browns mobile app. It's also available on Sirius XM radio , with channel 232 carrying the Browns feed.
• The Browns also have a Spanish-language broadcast, with Rafael “Rafa” Hernández-Brito (play-by-play) and Octavio Sequera (analyst) on the call. Games will be streamed on La Mega Cleveland , as well as heard on WNZN-FM 89.1 in Lorain and WVKO-FM 103.1 in Columbus.

How to buy Bengals vs Browns tickets

Tickets for Sunday's game on StubHub can be purchased on StubHub from $35 before fees.

Browns vs Bengals weather

It's a sunny day in Cleveland, with the temperature at kickoff expected to be near 70 degrees, according to the National Weather Service . West winds at 8 mph.

Browns vs. Bengals injury report

• Browns: LB Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow, triceps), questionable; RB Nyheim Hines (knee), out; C Ethan Pocic (knee), questionable; S Ronnie Hickman (ankle), out; RB Jerome Ford (hamstring), out.
• Bengals: CB D.J. Ivey (knee), questionable.

Cleveland Browns result in Week 6

Cleveland dropped to 1-5 on the season with a 20-16 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles, its fourth consecutive loss. The Browns tied the game at halftime at 10-10 when safety Rodney McLeod returned Myles Garrett's block of a field goal. However, they were outscored 7-3 in the fourth quarter to lose.

Cincinnati Bengals result in Week 6

The Bengals improved to 2-4 on the season with a 17-7 win at the New York Giants last Sunday night in New Jersey. Cincinnati scored the game's final 10 points to pull away from a 7-7 third-quarter tie.

Cleveland Browns predictions vs. Cincinnati Bengals

So what should we expect from the Browns this Sunday against the Bengals? Click here to see what our writers project as the score of today's game.

Browns vs. Bengals betting odds

• Provided by BetMGM.com ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores ad Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday.
• Moneyline (ML): Browns +205 (bet $100 to win $205) | Bengals -255 (bet $255 to win $100)
• Against the spread: Browns +5.5 (-110) | Bengals -5.5 (-110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Cincinnati Bengals scores in all-time series vs. Cleveland Browns

Today is the 102nd all-time regular-season or playoff meeting between the Browns and the Bengals, which dates back to 1970, and the 51st since the rebirth of the Cleveland franchise in 1999. Here's a look at the series between the Browns and Bengals.

• Series record (regular season and playoffs): Bengals lead 53-48
• Series record (regular season): Bengals lead 53-48
• Playoff record: N/A
• Series in Cleveland (regular season and playoffs): Browns lead 30-20
• Series record in Cleveland (regular season): Browns lead 30-20
• Series record in Cleveland (playoffs): N/A
• Series record in Cincinnati: Bengals lead 33-18
• Series record in Cincinnati (regular season): Bengals lead 33-18
• Series record in Cincinnati (playoffs): N/A
• Last meeting: Bengals won 31-14 in Cincinnati on Jan. 7, 2024
• Series streak: Bengals won the last meeting

Cleveland Browns 2024 active roster

• QUARTERBACKS (3): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston
• RUNNING BACK (4): Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr.
• WIDE RECEIVER (4): Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman
• TIGHT ENDS (3): Jordan Akins, David Njoku, Geoff Swaim
• OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Joel Bitonio, Jack Conklin, Michael Dunn, Germain Ifedi, Dawand Jones, Ethan Pocic, Jedrick Wills Jr., Zak Zinter
• DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst II, Quenton Jefferson, Isaiah McGuire, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, Mike Hall Jr.,
• LINEBACKERS (7): Devin Bush, Khaleke Hudson, Winston Reid, Jordan Hicks, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Nathaniel Watson, Mohamoud Diabate
• DEFENSIVE BACKS (12): D’Anthony Bell, Grant Delpit, Martin Emerson Jr., Kahlef Hailassie, Ronnie Hickman, Rodney McLeod, Cameron Mitchell, Greg Newsome II, Mike Ford Jr., Denzel Ward, Tony Brown II, Juan Thornhill
• SPECIALISTS (3): Corey Bojorquez, Dustin Hopkins, Rex Sunahara

Cleveland Browns elevate WR Jaelon Darden vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Browns only used one elevation for the game against the Bengals. That was used on wide receiver Jaelon Darden, who now gives the Browns five wide receivers on the active roster for the game.

Darden has appeared in 26 career games, including five with the Browns. He has registered 63 career punt returns for 624 yards (9.9 average) and 27 kickoffs for 565 yards (20.9 average).

Cleveland Browns 2024 schedule, results (1-5, 0-0 AFC North)

• Sunday, Sept. 8: Home vs. Dallas Cowboys, L, 33-17
• Sunday, Sept. 15: At Jacksonville Jaguars, W, 18-13
• Sunday, Sept. 22: Home vs. New York Giants, L, 21-15
• Sunday, Sept. 29: At Las Vegas Raiders, L, 20-16
• Sunday, Oct. 6: At Washington Commanders, L, 34-13
• Sunday, Oct. 13: At Philadelphia Eagles, L, 20-16
• Sunday, Oct. 20: Home vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS
• Sunday, Oct. 27: Home vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS
• Sunday, Nov. 3: Home vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m., CBS
• Sunday, Nov. 10: BYE WEEK
• Sunday, Nov. 17: At New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., FOX
• Thursday, Nov. 21: Home vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m., Amazon Prime
• Monday, Dec. 2: At Denver Broncos, 8:20 p.m., ESPN
• Sunday, Dec. 8: At Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
• Sunday, Dec. 15: Home vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
• Thursday, Dec. 19: At Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
• Sunday, Dec. 29: Home vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m., NBC
• Saturday, Jan. 4 OR Sunday, Jan. 5: At Baltimore Ravens, TBA, TV TBA

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns lose to Bengals as disastrous season now includes Deshaun Watson injury