It is very rare that an NFL player will enter concussion protocol during the week and then be able to play in the upcoming game. But the Cleveland Browns were hopeful that quarterback Deshaun Watson could defy those odds and be on the field against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9.
Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of Cleveland’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. He was removed for observation, was cleared to return to the game, and went on to finish the 27-6 loss.
But Watson felt symptoms in the days after the game, and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport has revealed Watson’s status for Sunday, saying he is “unlikely to start this week.”
“We’ll start with Deshaun Watson, starting quarterbacks of the resurgent Browns, who is unlikely to start this week. Deshaun Watson finished the game last week. Remember, was checked during the game for a concussion, cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. Continued to play but then reported symptoms at some point after the game. Went into the concussion protocol on Wednesday and has not practiced yet this week. That is an indication that Shedeur Sanders likely starts on Sunday,” Rapoport said.
From @GMFB: #Browns QB Deshaun Watson may miss Sunday; #Vikings will start QB Carson Wentz; The #Jets get RB Breece Hall back on Sunday, while the #Giants may not have RB Cam Skattebo. pic.twitter.com/7lBBdWEjnt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 6, 2026
Sanders will be making his much-anticipated first start of the season after making seven at the end of last year. He has played just five snaps in 2026, including four while Watson was briefly sidelined against the Steelers.
Watson has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league this season based on QBR. But he has been able to rally the Browns for a game-winning fourth-quarter drive in each of their five victories.
The 31-year-old has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Despite playing for the first time in almost two years after recovering from an Achilles injury, he has been impressive running the ball, and his 217 yards rank second on the team.
But more importantly, Watson played in eight games, which are his most appearances in five seasons with Cleveland. He will not be able to add to that total this Sunday, and perhaps in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile, Sanders has an unforeseen chance to impress either the Browns or another NFL team with the trade deadline coming up after this game. But Cleveland may now have to hang on to Sanders with Watson’s return uncertain.
There is never a good time for a team to lose its starting quarterback, but this may be a particularly bad time for the Browns to have to deal with this injury.
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