The Cleveland Browns are reportedly set to sign Bailey Zappe as a replacement for Deshaun Watson after he suffered a season-ending injury.

Zappe will be signed off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad after joining up with the back-to-back Super Bowl champions ahead of the NFL season. The 25-year-old quarterback was a fourth round pick in the 2022 draft, selected by the New England Patriots.

The former Houston Baptist and Western Kentucky college starlet was named as the third-string quarterback for the 2022 season behind starter Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer by the Patriots. Zappe made his debut in week four after injury ruled Jones out of action and Hoyer was injured during the game.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL media, Zappe will be signed off of the Chiefs’ practice squad this week. The Browns lost starting quarterback Watson for the rest of the season after he was carted off the field in tears against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering a torn Achilles. His replacement, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, suffered a finger injury that also saw him withdrawn.

The Browns’ No. 3 quarterback Jameis Winston against the Bengals was called into action and finished the game. Winston could start Sunday’s match-up against the Baltimore Ravens if Thompson-Robinson is ruled out.

Zappe played 14 games for the Patriots and made eight starts during his two years stint before signing with the Chiefs after being released in the summer. He threw 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 63.7 per cent of his passes at the Patriots.

Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Under Jerod Mayo, the Patriots underwent a revamp in the quarterback position, leaving his place in the squad redundant. Despite only being 25, Zappe offers Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski an experienced backup option as Cleveland look to turn around their wretched campaign, holding a 1-6 record – the joint worst in the league.

Speaking on Monday, Stefanski refused to be drawn into assurances over Watson’s future after his serious injury came amid a miserable season for him and the Browns. “Yeah, obviously I believe in Deshaun,” Stefanski began. “But I also think it’s important just to acknowledge that he just had a bad injury and bad break for him and we’re feeling bad for him and know that he’ll bounce back but not getting into all those things down the road. I’m looking forward to him getting the surgery and obviously getting his body back.”

Stefanski was then asked whether he knows who Watson is as a quarterback at this stage in his career. “I understand the question and feel badly for Deshaun with this injury,” Stefanski said. “You know, this is a tough break for him, but I know he will bounce back.

“He’s been a great contributor to this football team, both in the locker room, on the practice field, on the game field, and we’ll just support him as he rehabs from that injury. I do think we know what he’s about. I know what he brings to the table for this football team.”