The Cleveland Browns are in trouble after an ugly season worsened with two injuries on Sunday.
The step is that Bailey Zappe, who along with Deshaun Watson is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Sunday's game between the Browns and Bengals, has been removed from the Chiefs' practice squad.
Watson was initially replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but the former UCLA star reportedly I suffered a serious injury to my finger. And veteran James Winston took over from there.
Zappe would add depth to Winston. Winston vented his frustration in the locker room after fans cheered as Watson was carried off the field.
The Browns' play didn't get any better after Watson left Sunday in a 21-14 loss, but he grew under backup quarterback Joe Flacco in 2023.
Zappe appeared in 14 games over two seasons with the Patriots, completing 63.2 percent of his throws with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
He had the best game of his career in 2022, slamming Cleveland's defense for 309 yards, two touchdowns, and a 70.6 percent completion rate.
Zappe was released by New England after the preseason as the quarterback room was overhauled with the decision to draft both Drake Maye and Joe Milton while signing veteran Jacoby Brissett.
He was selected by the Chiefs and ranked behind Patrick Mahomes and Kirston Wentz on the depth chart.
Barring any other moves, Winston is expected to start in Week 8 with Zappe as a backup.
The loss of two quarterbacks in the same week added further turmoil to what has already been a disastrous season for the Browns.
That misery could continue Sunday, when the 5-2 Ravens scored 41 points against the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
