Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reported concussion symptoms for the first time on Tuesday and was immediately placed into the NFL’s concussion protocol, a development that could hand rookie Shedeur Sanders his first start of the season in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, football-world reported.
The move comes four days after Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of Cleveland’s 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was examined on the sideline and cleared to continue playing, and follow-up evaluations after the game and again on Monday showed no abnormalities, according to the report. Only on Tuesday did symptoms surface, triggering his placement in the protocol. Whether he plays against the Saints remains open until he completes every step of the protocol.
Helmet-to-Helmet Hit in Pittsburgh Set the Timeline
Watson absorbed the helmet-to-helmet blow early in the first quarter of Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh. The hit was serious enough to warrant a sideline examination, but he was allowed to return to the field. Post-game and Monday checkups came back clean, which made Tuesday’s symptom report a reversal that changed Cleveland’s quarterback picture hours before the Saints game.
Shedeur Sanders Could Get His First Start at a Pivotal Moment
For Sanders, the timing is notable. The rookie from last season recently hired an agent for the first time, a step some interpreted as a possible move toward a trade, football-world reported. Now he could instead use the Saints game to audition for a larger role in Cleveland — or draw interest from other teams going forward.
What It Means for the AFC North Race
The stakes in Cleveland are concrete. The Browns stand at 5-3 and are chasing the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) and Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) in the AFC North. Losing Watson for another game would significantly complicate that pursuit, the report noted.
The next confirmed checkpoint is Cleveland’s Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, with Watson’s availability pending completion of the NFL’s concussion protocol.
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