Browns QB Deshaun Watson enters concussion protocol before Saints game

Breaking news on Wednesday morning just days before the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns face off in Week 9. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has entered concussion protocol, the team announced. This puts his status in serious doubt this week when the 5-3 Browns travel to take on the 2-5 Saints in the Superdome.According to the Browns' statement, Watson sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit during the first quarter of Cleveland's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. The NFL's ATC spotter called down to the sideline for an evaluation on Watson. After an examination from the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant, Watson was cleared and returned to the game on Cleveland's next offensive possession. The Browns say their medical staff evaluated Watson again after Sunday's game and again on Monday, where he reportedly showed no concussion symptoms. However, Watson reported to team officials on Tuesday morning that he had experienced concussion symptoms overnight. Cleveland immediately placed him into concussion protocol, and he will be evaluated through the remainder of this week leading up to Sunday's game.Watson has started every game for the Browns this season after missing all of 2025. He's completed 65.5% of his throws with 5 touchdown passes, 3 interceptions, and an average of 225.8 passing yards per game. Watson has also been sacked 33 times this season, most in the NFL, including 8 sacks against the Steelers. Watson has a career 0-2 record against the Saints, facing them once while with the Houston Texans and once as Cleveland's starter.In the likely event that Watson can't go, Cleveland will turn to second-year quarterback Shadeur Sanders to start against New Orleans. Sanders started seven games for the Browns as a rookie, going 3-4 as a starter while completing 56.6% of his throws with an average of 200 passing yards per game and 7 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. It would also be a showdown between two quarterbacks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. New Orleans selected Tyler Shough in the second round with the 40th overall pick, making him the third quarterback off the board. Out of Colorado, Sanders tumbled to the Browns in the fifth round at pick 144, the sixth quarterback selected behind fellow 2025 Browns rookie draft pick Dillon Gabriel.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Browns QB Deshaun Watson enters concussion protocol before Saints game