Browns QB Deshaun Watson enters concussion protocol before Saints game

On Wednesday, just days before the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns clash in Week 9, Cleveland's Deshaun Watson was placed in concussion protocol, raising doubt about his availability for the upcoming game against the Saints in the Superdome. Watson sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit during the first quarter of Cleveland's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

The NFL's ATC spotter signaled for an evaluation of Watson, who was then cleared to return to the game on Cleveland's next offensive play. Cleveland's medical staff re-evaluated Watson twice more, with no signs of concussion symptoms, but Watson reported experiencing symptoms overnight. Cleveland immediately moved him to concussion protocol, and he will be assessed through the rest of the week leading up to the Sunday game.

Watson, who has started every game this season after missing all of 2025, has a 65.5% completion rate with 5 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and an average of 225.8 passing yards per game. He has been sacked 33 times this season, the most in the NFL, including 8 against the Steelers. Watson's career record against the Saints is 0-2, having faced them once with Houston and once as Cleveland's starter.

If Watson cannot play, Cleveland will rely on rookie backup Shadeur Sanders, who started seven games last season, going 3-4 as a starter, completing 56.6% of his throws, and amassing 200 passing yards per game with 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. This matchup will feature two quarterbacks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft: Tyler Shough, taken by New Orleans in the second round, and Sanders, drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round.