Watson used to be in injured stock.
Zappe, 25, could back up Jameis Winston against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday with Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s game status hidden.
Thompson-Robinson, who entered the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and then because of Watson’s trauma, injured a finger on his throwing hand late in Cleveland’s 21-14 loss. A source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that surgery will not be necessary.
A fourth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2022 draft, Zappe made eight starts for England intact, completing 63.2% of his passes for 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
In other moves Tuesday, the Browns waived linebacker Tony Fields II from the injured list and re-signed running back Gary Brightwell to the next team, freeing up Sebastian Gutierrez’s offensive take.