The Cleveland Browns placed starting quarterback Deshaun Watson in the NFL’s concussion protocol on Tuesday, creating uncertainty for their Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The move follows Watson’s delayed concussion symptoms, which emerged after initial evaluations cleared him to return to play during Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ backup quarterback, is expected to start if Watson remains unavailable. The Browns have not confirmed a starter for Sunday’s game, but Sanders is preparing as the presumptive replacement.
Watson sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of the Week 8 loss to the Steelers. An unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant (UNC) evaluated him on the sideline and cleared him to return on the Browns’ next offensive series. Postgame and Monday morning evaluations also showed no concussion symptoms, and Watson was cleared by team medical staff. However, he reported experiencing symptoms on Tuesday morning, prompting the Browns to place him in the concussion protocol.
The Browns’ statement noted that Watson was “immediately” placed in the protocol upon reporting symptoms. The team did not specify a timeline for his return but indicated Watson will need to complete multiple steps before being cleared.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has limited starting experience. He completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight games as a rookie in 2023. Dillon Gabriel, who returned from injured reserve in Week 8, is the Browns’ emergency third-string quarterback.
Watson has been the Browns’ starter since joining the team in 2022. Despite a challenging 2024 season, he has rebounded in 2025, completing 65.5% of his passes with a 91.2 quarterback rating—both career highs since joining Cleveland. He has orchestrated five game-winning drives and three fourth-quarter comebacks this season, including back-to-back 300-yard passing games in Weeks 7 and 8.
The Browns (5-3) are one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North standings. Their next game is scheduled for Sunday against the Saints.