Deshaun Watson is in the NFL concussion protocol, the Cleveland Browns announced Wednesday, and Shedeur Sanders is in line to make his first start of the season Sunday against the New Orleans Saints if Watson cannot clear it. Watson reported concussion symptoms Monday night following a helmet-to-helmet hit in Sunday’s 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns said Watson took the hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker during the first quarter Sunday. The ATC spotter called down to the sideline, and an Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant administered a gameday concussion evaluation. Watson was cleared by the UNC and returned on the Browns’ next offensive series.
The team’s medical staff evaluated Watson again after the game and again Monday morning; both times he showed no symptoms and was cleared. But on Tuesday morning, Watson told the medical staff he had begun experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night and was immediately placed in the protocol, according to the team’s statement.
Deshaun Watson has been placed in concussion protocol pic.twitter.com/ViiyRHMct8
They were doing NFL protocol. Checking for concussion. The brain is one of the most important things in the body outside the heart and the lungs. But they had to do their job and had to do the evaluation, and we did that, and I was able to go back in,
Deshaun Watson, Browns quarterback, after the Steelers game, News 5 Cleveland
Watson Faces Five-Phase Protocol
The protocol’s return-to-participation process has five phases, beginning with symptom-limited activity and aerobic exercise and progressing to football-specific exercise before full clearance.
Unofficial statistics cited by Fox News indicate quarterbacks entering the protocol miss at least one game over 70 percent of the time. The Browns have had three players enter the protocol this season — wide receiver KC Concepcion, safety Grant Delpit and right tackle Tytus Howard — and all three cleared before missing a game, News 5, Cleveland reported.
Deshaun Watson isn't expected to clear concussion protocol by Saturday, and the Browns appear to be preparing for Shedeur Sanders to start Week 9 at New Orleans. Via @MaryKayCabot
Sanders Steps Up for the 5-3 Browns
With Watson sidelined, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders is in line to start Sunday against the Saints, with Dillon Gabriel likely the backup, ESPN reported. Sanders briefly entered the Week 8 game while Watson was being evaluated and completed both of his pass attempts for two yards, according to the New York Post.
Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick, started seven games as a rookie last season, completing 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while going 3-4. He has thrown just three passes this season after losing the preseason quarterback competition to Watson.
With Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, Browns QB Sheduer Sanders is next in line to start on Sunday’s game vs. the Saints. pic.twitter.com/Gv1fQycWJe
Coach Todd Monken did not rule Watson out for Sunday but suggested it was a little more difficult for a quarterback
to work his way through the protocol without practice reps all week, according to ESPN.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion said the offense is rallying around Sanders: It was unfortunate what happened to Deshaun, but we’re going to pick up Shedeur’s confidence, and get him ready for Sunday,
Concepcion said.
So then going to this offseason, we worked on that and training camp of course and this offseason and overall I’m just excited for the opportunity,
Sanders said.
Watson’s Contract Complicates His Return
The Browns are 5-3 and in third place in the AFC North, one game behind the first-place Steelers.
#Browns QB Deshaun Watson on leaving the game for a few plays to be evaluated for a concussion: "They were doing NFL protocol. Checking for concussion. The brain is one of the most important things in the body outside the heart and the lungs. But they had to do their job and… pic.twitter.com/cnzBkJCeiq
Watson has started all eight games this season, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 1,806 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions; he threw for a season-high 324 yards in the Steelers loss while being sacked eight times and leads the league with 33 sacks this season, Bleacher Report reported.
Watson had not played since tearing his Achilles in a loss to the Bengals on Oct. 20, 2024; he ruptured it again during rehab and missed all of last season. The Browns traded a package including three first-round picks for him in March 2022 and handed him a fully guaranteed $230MM contract, fully guaranteed contract. How fast the team is willing to move on from Watson carries at least an $86 million cap hit this offseason, according to the New York Post.
Deshaun Watson has until Saturday to clear the concussion protocol under NFL guidelines if he is to play v #Saints. #Browns
More on Deshaun Watson
The #Browns have placed QB Deshaun Watson in the NFL’s concussion protocol, with this explanation: pic.twitter.com/dabD3ElFDE
#Browns Todd Monken says "I would assume" Deshaun Watson (concussion) is still our starter when he's healthy. "He's started eight games."
Todd Monken makes it abundantly clear that it will be much harder for Deshaun Watson to make it back for the #Saints after suffering the concussion vs. the #Steelers because he won't have the reps during the week. He's making it sound like Sanders will start.
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