Cleveland Browns may start Shedeur Sanders on Sunday
Deshaun Watson entered concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on Tuesday, leaving little time for him to clear before facing New Orleans.
By Robert Marshall ·
The Cleveland Browns are likely to install second-year backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders at the helm for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The team announced Wednesday morning that starting quarterback Deshaun Watson entered concussion protocol on Tuesday, creating a tight timeline for his return.
Watson left the Browns’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday after a helmet-to-helmet collision. Although an independent doctor on the sideline cleared him and he reported no symptoms immediately after the game or on Monday, he reported symptoms overnight on Tuesday. The NFL’s concussion protocol is a five-step process that typically takes longer than a week to complete.
Sanders, who won the Heisman Trophy at Colorado in 2024, is the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. He fell to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft despite first-round expectations. The New Orleans Saints considered him at the time but selected Tyler Shough in the second round instead.
As a rookie, Sanders started seven games for Cleveland with a 3-4 record. He completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while rushing for 169 yards and a score. This season, he has passed for two yards in three attempts.
Watson enters the injury report with a 5-3 record as the Browns’ starter this year. He has thrown for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions while adding 217 rushing yards and a touchdown.
