Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders could get more than a handful of snaps in Week 9, when his team visits the Saints.
The Browns announced that starting quarterback Deshaun Watson is in the concussion protocol.
“During the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Steelers, Deshaun suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit,” the team said in a statement released Wednesday morning. “The ATC observer called to the sideline and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) administered a concussion evaluation on game day. Deshaun was cleared by UNC and returned on the Browns’ next offensive series. As part of the protocol, the team medical staff evaluated him again after the game and Monday morning. Both times, he showed no symptoms, passed his evaluations and was cleared. On Tuesday morning, he reported to medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday evening and was cleared. immediately placed in the concussion protocol.”
Watson will remain in the concussion protocol until he completes the various stages. Until then, Sanders will likely be the starter – unless the coaching staff decides to turn to Dillon Gabriel.
This development comes shortly after Sanders first hired an agent, likely in an effort to secure a trade to a new team. For now, he will have the opportunity to make his case to become the Browns’ eventual starter. Or to generate interest elsewhere in him once 2027 arrives.
For the 5-3 Browns, this is a significant development. They need to keep pace with the 6-2 Steelers and the 5-2 Bengals. Suffering a fourth loss without Watson (who ultimately threw for 324 yards in the 27-6 loss at Pittsburgh) will make that harder to accomplish.
Gn sports
