Watson Returns to Cleveland
Browns Lead Panthers at Halftime as Deshaun Watson Returns From Injury
Anonymous
The Browns led the Carolina Panthers 10-3 at halftime of Cleveland’s home opener, with Deshaun Watson throwing a late second-quarter touchdown to Harold Fannin. Watson received a subdued but non-hostile welcome as he returned to Cleveland’s regular-season home field for the first time since tearing his Achilles there in 2024. Cleveland’s defense stopped Carolina on multiple third- and fourth-down attempts, while 10 penalties for 74 yards helped keep the Panthers in the game; Carolina’s only points came on a field goal. The reception followed Cleveland’s Week 2 win over Tampa Bay, which had eased some scrutiny of Watson and his relationship with fans.
Key Points
1
Watson’s touchdown pass to Harold Fannin capped a seven-play, 40-yard drive that began after Carolina turned the ball over on downs; the score came on fourth-and-goal from the 2.
2
On Watson’s first drive, the crowd initially made no major response, then cheered when he scrambled for a first down and later gained 12 yards while avoiding a sack.
3
Second-year defensive tackle Mason Graham sacked Bryce Young on a fourth-and-3 attempt from Cleveland’s 43, forcing another turnover on downs; Young limped afterward but remained in the game.
4
The crowd tension had a painful backstory: after Watson tore his Achilles at the stadium in 2024, some fans cheered while he was down, and he later described the preseason boos as “personal.”
Sentiment
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Reach
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