The Cleveland Browns placed Deshaun Watson in the NFL's concussion protocol, putting the team's starting quarterback in jeopardy of missing the team's Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints.
The Browns announced Watson's placement in concussion protocol in a statement released on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
"During the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Steelers, Deshaun took a helmet-to-helmet hit," the Browns statement read. "The ATC spotter called down to the sideline, and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) administered a gameday concussion evaluation. Deshaun was cleared by the UNC and returned on the Browns' next offensive series."
"As part of the protocol, the team's medical staff evaluated him again postgame and Monday morning,"
the statement continued. "Both times he showed no symptoms, passed his evaluations, and was cleared. On Tuesday morning, he reported to the medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night and was immediately placed in the concussion protocol."
Watson has guided the Browns to a surprising 5-3 record in 2026 while completing 65.5% of his passes for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. If he can't play, backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders will likely be handed the reins against the Saints.
Here's more to know about Watson's injury, the NFL's concussion protocol and how the Browns' quarterback depth chart shakes out behind him.
What is the NFL's concussion protocol?
The NFL's concussion protocol outlines a five-step process for players who have been diagnosed with a concussion to return to action. The steps are as follows:
- Phase 1: Symptom-limited activity (introduction of light aerobic activity)
- Phase 2: Aerobic exercise (more than 20 minutes of moderate to strenuous resistance)
- Phase 3: Football-specific exercise
- Phase 4: Club-based non-contact training drills (participating in all non-contact practice drills)
- Phase 5: Full football activity (clearance)
Once a player completes the process and is cleared for full participation by his team's physician, he must also be seen and separately cleared by an NFL- and NFLPA-approved Independent Neurological Consultant (INC). A player cannot return to action until he is cleared by an independent physician.
There is no official timetable for a player to progress through the NFL's concussion protocol, though NBC Sports andCBS Sports report the median recovery for NFL players is about nine days. Such a timeline would put Watson in danger of missing the Browns' Week 9 game, so his practice status will need to be monitored closely.
Will Shedeur Sanders start for Browns in Week 9?
If Watson can't clear the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of the Browns' Week 9 game against the Saints, backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders would be expected to start.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, has played sparingly in 2026 after losing the starting job to Watson during the preseason. As a rookie, Sanders completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the Browns to a 3-4 record across seven starts.
Browns QB depth chart
The Browns are one of just a few NFL teams to have four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit.
- Deshaun Watson
- Shedeur Sanders
- Dillon Gabriel
- Taylen Green
Like Sanders, Gabriel was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. The third-rounder made six starts as a rookie, posting a 1-5 record while completing 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. The lefty missed the start of the 2026 NFL season with a back injury but returned from IR ahead of Cleveland's Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, Green – a sixth-round rookie out of Arkansas – has served as the Browns' thrid-string quarterback for most of the season without Gabriel available. The 24-year-old has yet to play an NFL snap.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol. Shedeur Sanders could start as Browns QB
