Browns sign Bailey Zappe after Deshaun Watson injury
The Cleveland Browns are scrambling after an ugly season got worse with two injuries Sunday.
In steps Bailey Zappe, whom the team signed off the Chiefs’ practice squad with Deshaun Watson out for the season with a ruptured Achilles suffered in the Browns’ loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Watson was initially replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but the former UCLA star reportedly suffered a major finger injury and veteran Jameis Winston took over from there.
Zappe will provide depth for Winston, who vented his frustration in the locker room after fans cheered as Watson was carted off the field.
The Browns did not play any better once Watson exited Sunday in the 21-14 loss, though they did flourish in 2023 under backup quarterback Joe Flacco.
Zappe played in 14 games for the Patriots over two seasons, completing 63.2 percent of his throws with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
He torched Cleveland’s defense for 309 yards, two touchdowns and a 70.6 percent completion rate in his career best game in 2022.
Zappe was let go by New England after the preseason as their quarterback room was overhauled with the decision to draft both Drake Maye and Joe Milton, while signing veteran Jacoby Brissett.
He was picked up by the Chiefs and was behind Patrick Mahomes and Carston Wentz on the depth chart.
Barring any other moves, Winston is expected to get the start in Week 8 with Zappe as the backup.
Two quarterbacks going down in the same week adds more chaos to what has been a disastrous season for the Browns.
The misery could continue Sunday when the 5-2 Ravens come to town fresh off scoring 41 points against the Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football.”
