The New Orleans Saints could be facing a backup quarterback when the Cleveland Browns visit the Caesars Superdome in Week 9.
The Browns announced Wednesday that starting QB Deshaun Watson had entered the concussion protocol after experiencing what the team described as delayed symptoms. Watson was evaluated for a concussion after a hit to the head in the first quarter of last week's loss to the Steelers, but was cleared and returned the game.
"As part of the protocol, the team's medical staff evaluated hm again postgame and Monday morning. Both times he showed no symptoms, passed his evaluations, and was cleared," The team said in the announcement. "On Tuesday morning he reported to the medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night and was immediately place in the concussion protocol."
The news doesn't rule out Watson for the game, but it does mean he'd have to clear the multi-step protocol in a short timeframe. Watson's bounceback season has been one of the major catalysts for the Browns' 5-3 start under new head coach Todd Monken. On the year he's completed 65.5% of his passes (163-249) for 1,806 yards and 7 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He also carried the ball 51 times for 217 yards and a touchdown.
Watson was a big-money acquisition of the Browns in 2022, but has missed the better part of the past five seasons due to injuries and suspensions. He hasn't played in either of the past two Saints-Browns matchups, with New Orleans winning both.
If Watson can't go, it'll be backup Shedeur Sanders pulling his first start of the year. Sanders has been a frequent topic of conversation after his tumble down to the 5th round of the 2025 draft. He started 7 games for the Browns as a rookie, completing 56.6% of his passes (120-212) for 7 touchdowns, but also threw 10 interceptions. The team went 3-4 in that stretch.
A matchup between Sanders, the son of Deion Sanders, and Saints QB Tyler Shough will be an interesting one. Many criticized the Saints for passing on Sanders for Shough, though early returns would indicate that was the correct decision.
The Saints, coming off a bye week after their trip to Paris, opened the week 3-point favorites over the Browns. That game is set to kick off at noon, Sunday inside the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
