The Cleveland Browns announced Wednesday that starting quarterback Deshaun Watson has been placed in the league’s concussion protocol. The move comes three days after Watson suffered a helmet-to-helmet collision during the first quarter of the Browns’ recent win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Protocol details
According to the team’s statement, an Athletic Trainer’s Center (ATC) spotter flagged the hit on the sideline, prompting the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) to conduct a game‑day concussion evaluation. Watson cleared that evaluation and returned to the offense later in the same game. Post‑game and Monday‑morning assessments also showed no symptoms, and he was cleared each time.
On Tuesday morning, Watson reported to the medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms that night. The Browns immediately placed him in the concussion protocol, which requires a series of evaluations before a player can be cleared to return.
Impact on the upcoming game
With Watson now unavailable, the Browns must decide who will start at quarterback for their Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints. Backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to receive the majority of practice repetitions as the team prepares for the game. If Sanders is not deemed ready, the coaching staff could turn to third‑string quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Unofficial concussion statistics suggest that quarterbacks who enter the protocol miss at least one game more than 70 percent of the time, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Watson’s return.
Team standing
The Browns sit at 5–3 overall and are third in the AFC North, trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. Despite a perfect 3‑0 record at home, the team cannot afford additional losses if it hopes to remain in the playoff race.
Watson’s agent recently secured new representation for the quarterback, a move that some analysts view as positioning him for a potential trade once he re‑establishes himself as the Browns’ starter.
What’s next
The Browns’ medical staff will continue to monitor Watson’s condition closely. The protocol typically takes several days, and the team will update fans as soon as a decision is made regarding his availability for the Saints game.
Fans are encouraged to follow official Browns communications for the latest information on the quarterback situation and game‑day preparations.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
